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A 25-man Bermuda rugby squad heads to Cayman this weekend with a point to prove as they take on the best teams in the West Indies.

Bermuda finished dead last in the NAWIRA Caribbean Championships two years ago. But a strong squad, bolstered by seven University players, is determined to set the record straight and restore Bermuda's reputation as one of the rugby powerhouses of the region.

Manager Heath Robinson said Bermuda had won the tournament several times in the past. But in recent years the rest of the region had caught up and they were now viewed as the underdogs,

The seven team tournament also involves favourites Barbados, hosts Cayman, Guyana, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago and Mexico.

Bermuda kicks off its campaign against Guyana on Monday and then faces Barbados on Wednesday.

If they win both games they progress to the final on Saturday, a solitary victory would see them qualify for the third and fourth play-off place while two defeats would see them out of the tournament.

Team manager Heath Robinson said: "If we lose both we'll be in the bar on Friday night, which is something the players have told me is not an option."

Robinson believes the team is stronger and more focused than in previous seasons and comes into the tournament in good form after a successful July trip to Ontario, Canada, where they defeated the Burlington Crusaders and tied with Oakville Crusaders U23 team.

"We are putting all our efforts into this tournament and we are looking to do a lot better than we have done in the past."

He said the unusual timing of the tournament in August, out-of-rugby season for all the participating countries, had actually worked in their favour in one respect, allowing university based players like Thomas Edwards and Neville Zuill to be available for selection.

"The trip to Ontario was actually the first time we had seen some of those guys play. Seven of them made the squad, so we saw enough to include them in the mix. Some of them will get bloodied, but I think it's going to be a good experience for them."

Robinson admitted that while Bermuda had once dominated the Caribbean, they were no longer seen as a team to beat.

"We're in the bottom bracket. It is going to be quite a stretch. Bermuda rugby has plateaued while the other teams have got better. That could work in our favour because the other teams shouldn't see us coming, They won't expect anything from us because we haven't put it together in the past, but this time we've got a good mix of players."

He said experienced campaigners like Derek Hurdle combined with expats who were now eligible to represent Bermuda like Tom Healy and Chris Naylor to form a solid core.

"The players are extremely motivated. They know we have to do better. We played a warm-up game against local opposition on Saturday and we know what we have to work on."

The players helped fund the tour by working the gates at Cup Match, among other fund-raising ventures.

"We've been partially funded by the IRB (International Rugby Board) but every other dollar has been raised by the Bermuda Rugby Association.

"It's helped bring the boys together. This is definitely a team now. It also helps motivate you. You always want to do better when it's on your own coin."[[In-content Ad]]

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