January 30, 2013 at 5:54 p.m.
Youth rugby team unbeaten in Canadian matches
Bermuda 19, St Mary's 12
On Friday, Bermuda played teams from two schools outside Toronto. Bermuda went into the first match against St. Mary's High School a bit apprehensive, as this was only the second 15-a-side game Bermuda had ever played at this age group. However, following the kick-off the nerves quickly disappeared, and Bermuda took control of the match. Their forwards were able to control the ball and recycle second and third phase ball to retain possesion. That possession eventually paid off with a convincing forward try by prop, Joshua Deallie. The conversion was missed.
After a period of sustained pressure, the Bermuda back line kicked a crafty grubber into the opposition try area, and centre Darien Hewey outpaced the defence to touch the ball down. The subsequent conversion left the score 12-0 to Bermuda. St. Marys were searching for any chink in the Bermuda armour and, when a Bermuda pass went astray, the opposition was quick to scoop up the ball and sprint to touch the ball down for 5 points. The conversion was missed, leaving the score 12-5.
Toward the end of the first half, Bermuda were awarded a 5 metre scrum, and when No. 8, Tadhg O'Shaughnessy picked the ball up, he was never going to be denied.
The conversion made the score 19-5. In the second half, After a period of sustained pressure from St Mary's, they were rewarded with a converted try which left them within one try of the island team. But the game finished with a well disciplined defensive effort from Bermuda which held the score at 19-12.
Spectators commented on both the performance of the Bermuda pack, which won many scrums against the head, and the very competitive but sporting approach by both teams.
Bermuda 48, Cobourg 5
In the second match of the day, the Bermuda squad faced a team from Cobourg High School, a school with a developing but promising programme. The superior organisation of the Bermuda team showed from the start, and the visiting side was able to control much of the flow of the match throughout. The result of the match was never really in question, with Bermuda getting scores by Nikye Atherden, Graham Cooke, Stephen Edwards, Adrian Hassell, Darien Hewey (2), Ethan Martens and Luke Williams. and the final score was 48-5. The Bermuda defence made some crucial tackles to deny the opposition a path to the line, but the Canadians refused to be shut out, and eventually ran in an impresive try toward the end of the game, leaving the score 48-5 to Bermuda.
Bermuda 22, Trinity 5
Saturday's match was billed as the big match of the tour, as Bermuda took on Trinity College School, one of the dominant rugby schools in Ontario. Historically, TCS has had strong Bermuda connections, but there was fierce competition between the two sides in the worst of conditions. With temperatures approaching freezing, pouring rain and near gale force winds, it was thought the match might have to be cancelled. But knowing how far their guests had come, TCS was detrmined to give them a game. And the spectators that braved the elements were treated to an extremely competitive game.
After about 10 minutes of pressure on the TCS line, Bermuda were finally able to work O'Shaughnessy over for his second try of the tour. Further pressure in the first half resulted in hooker Ndavyah Williams touching down one of his many driving runs near the posts. With the conversion missed, the teams went into half time with the score 10-0.
In the second half, with the Bermuda forwards again contolling the tight play and the backs tackling TCS whenever the Canadians tried to spin the ball, a gap was finaly created for fly-half Atherden to jink his way in for another second try, which he converted. Prop Simon Thompson then plowed his way over the line to make the score 22-0. But the hosts refused to give up, and some sustained pressure saw them rack up a well deserved try at the final whistle leaving the final score 22-5.
The Bermuda team, with players from seven different schools on the island and two at school in the UK returned to a large crowd of parents and well-wishers that gathered at the airport yesterday afternoon. Head coach, Keith Hodgkins was thrilled with the Bermuda performance. "What excited me the most was the fact the each of boys played a significant part in these victories" he said.
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