Cayman Rugby 15s gear up to tackle World Cup qualifier
Paul Westin is unable to catch Justin Wight as he makes a break for the try line
(CNS): Cayman Rugby’s national 15s team this weekend begins its preparation for the qualifying rounds of the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan. The first skirmish will be on Saturday, 27 February at 1pm at the South Sound Rugby Ground against a club select side coached by Mick Kehoe and Robbie True.
The select side comprises Cayman Rugby Football Union’s top players not yet eligible for, or looking to be selected to, the national team. The match will form part of a three-game series, with the winner receiving the coveted Reggie Hannon Cup sponsored by Appleton Rum.
This trophy, named after Cayman Rugby regular and much-loved family pet of Bluey Hannon, was originally awarded to the winner of the U-35 vs O-35 series. It is reprised now as a trophy for the annual international warm-up series.
Cayman’s first World Cup qualifying game will be a home fixture on 21 May against Bahamas at the Truman Bodden Sports Complex with a 6pm start time.
Players eligible for the select side include Dave Stringer, Clive O’Mahony, Matt Drum., Killian Everard, Ollie Ward, Ian Smith, Sam Anderson and Barrie Goode.
The national team comprises Ben McDonald, Dan Bond, Jason Scarff, Andre Ormond, Joey Westin, Peter de Vere, Phil Fourie, Savuriano Tabuaniwere, Yohann Regnard, Paul Smith, Matt Dors, Al Lum, Sean Gerard, Ben Blair, Chris Kennedy, Neil Montgomery, Morgan Shelver, Dano O’Connor, Shaun McDermott, Ricardo Brown, Phil Parker and Dave Acutt.
The slate of matches on Saturday will also include the national sevens team pitted against a University of Michigan squad at 3pm.
In addition, the weekend will feature round three of the 2016 RBS Six Nations Championship. All games will be shown live and free at the South Sound clubhouse.
