Under-23s manage to hold off Under-19 national team

Youth Rugby looks to be going from strength to strength if the two intense games played out last week is anything to go by.

With over 60 youngsters between the ages of 15 and 23 taking part the future looks bright for Bermuda rugby.

The first game of the afternoon saw a mixture of the Under 17s battle it out in what would be a very even contest.  In contrasting styles the Blues had an initially dominant pack while the ‘Gades had a dangerous looking back division.

Blues were first to score, with Simeon Edwards touching down under the posts. The conversion was made by Nikye Atherden to give them a 7-0 lead.

This served as a wake-up call to the ‘Gades team who turned the tables on the Blues and started dominating in the forwards.

A 30 metre driving maul by the ‘Gades resulted in Antonio Perinchief-Leader plowing over for a try.

The conversion was missed and this would later prove to be costly as the score remained 7-5

There followed a period of fast paced play with both sides putting in some crunching tackles.

The ‘Gades held off repeated attacks on their line, including some storming runs by prop Josh Deallie, but eventually the Blues were able to cross the line with Graham Cooke forcing his way over from the back of a ruck. Atherden again converted. to make it 14 to 5.

Again, the ‘Gades rose to the occasion.

After sustained pressure in the Blues 22, the Gades forwards won the ball at the break down; it was spun through the hands in the back line to Darien Hewey who showed his pace and moves, crossing in the corner but darting back inside to score between the posts. Danny Pell kicked the conversion to take it to a two-point margin at 14 to 12.

With only two points in it and momentum going their way, it looked like the Gades were going to steal the game in the dying minutes, but time was against them and the Ref blew for full time.

This barnstorming finish was followed by an equally exhilarating game between Bermuda U19s, the reigning Under 19 Caribbean Champions, and a team made up of returning students and players under the age of 23.

If the Under 23s had thought they were going to enjoy an easy afternoon against their younger opponents then they soon had to revise those thoughts after a brutal early exchange saw the U19 backrow forward, Aldo Campbell, power over for the first score of the game.

Despite some astute kicking from fly half Tom Bassett the U19s were unable to build on this lead as the U23s came back strongly. 

Shauntino Simons evened things up for the U23s with a well taken try after a break by right wing Chris Landy and then Andrew Hook  dived over from close range to give the U23s a half time lead.

A fine short range try by Tom Bassett brought the scores to all square again but the physicality of the game was beginning to take its toll on both teams.

Somers Brewin and Nick Chilvers dished out plenty of punishment to the opposition for the U19s but this was matched by players like Allan Steynor and Andrew Hook for the U23s.

The scores remained level for much of the remainder of the game but eventually the power behind the scrum for the U23s allowed them to stretch the score to a slightly flattering two try margin as senior national team players Jack Ellison and Simons scored late tries.