NACRA CARIBBEAN CUP, SOUTH: BVI v CURACAO

02.05.2014

Venue: A.O.Shirley Stadium, New Town, Tortola

Referee: Rommel Parris (Barbados)

Preview
This is the final match in the NACRA Caribbean Cup, South zone. The winner has the right to challenge Barbados, who came last in the Championship, South competition. Last year Curacao lost 0-29 to Barbados in the promotion-relegation playoff.

For Curacao to repeat their winning the Cup South competition last year they need to win over British Virgin Islands Saturday. Held to a draw earlier by St Vincent & Grenadines their position looked precarious until BVI won unexpectedly against SVG away.

Previous Encounters
21.06.2014 Curacao 42-12 in Willemstad (NACRA Carib.Cup, South)
15.01.2013 Curacao 38-10 in Tortola (NACRA Carib. Champ., South R1)

NACRA Caribbean Cup, South So far.
28.02.2015 BVI 22, St Lucia 14 in Castries
07.03.2015 SVG 24, Curacao 24 in Willemstad
21.03.2015 SVG 16, St Lucia 8 in Castries
11.04.2015 Curacao 36, St Lucia 19 in Willemstad
18.04.2015 BVI 22, SVG 15 at Kingstown

GWC Rugby Rankings
NACRA Table: Curacao 11th, BVI 12th

Prediction: Curacao by 5. Score 16-11

    

Team lists not available

CARIBBEAN CUP SOUTH

11.04.2015
St Lucia v Curacao in Willemstad (Caribbean Cup, South)

Referee: Pablo Septien (Mexico)

Preview
St Lucia has lost both games so far and will find the journey to Curacao to win this one a difficult task.

Curacao won the Cup South title last year. It’s draw with SVG early in this competition came as a surprise.

Previous Encounters
10.05.2014 Curacao 56-7 in Willwmstad (NACRA Caribbean Cup, South)
29.04.2012 St Lucia 43-19 in Gros Islet (Friendly)

Caribbean Cup South 2015 So Far
28/02: British Virgin Islands 22, St Lucia 14 in Castries
07/03: St Vincent & Grenadines 24, Curacao 24 in Willemstad
21/03: St Vincent & Grenadines 16, St Lucia 8 in Castries

GWC Rugby Rankings
NACRA Table: Curacao 11th, St Lucia 15th

Prediction: Curacao by 25. Score 39-14

 

TEAMS
Not available

TEST RUGBY THIS WEEKEND

11.04.2015
Paraguay v Uruguay in Montevideo (CONSUR A)
Czech Republic v Croatia in Croatia (REC 2A)
Greece v Estonia in Montenegro (REC 3, Semi-final 1)
Slovakia v Montenegro in Montenegro (REC 3, Semi-final 2)
Mexico v Cayman Islands in Grand Cayman (Caribbean Championship, North)
Guyana v Trinidad Tobago (Caribbean Championship, South)
St Lucia v Curacao in Castries (Caribbean Cup, South)

Briefly
CONSUR A 2015 competition begins with Paraguay travelling to Montevideo. This round is to find the qualifiers for the 2016 CONSUR Cup, the elite level of South American rugby.

Montenegro will become the latest member of the test rugby family when they host the REC Division 3 competition this weekend. The finals will be played next week mid-week.

The Caribbean Championship and Cup competitions continue. Mexico and Cayman Islands will be virtually playing for the North title, the winner facing the South winner. That will be either Guyana or Trinidad Tobago who also play this weekend. The surprise is the USA South is already out of the competition and will in fact have to face the Cup North winner in a promotion-relegation match later.

NACRA CARIBBEAN CHAMPIONSHIP

07.03.2015
Guyana 48, Barbados 22 in Georgetown (Caribbean Champ., South Div.1)
Mexico 50, USA South 25 in Mexico City (Caribbean Champ., North Div.1)
St Vincent G. 24, Curacao 24 in Wilhelmstadt (Caribbean Champ., South Div.2)
Bermuda 56, Turks & Caicos Islands 3 in Hamilton (Carib. Champ., North Div.2)

Reviews
The major upset of the day was Mexico’s win over the USA South side. Not only that but the newly promoted side whacked on 50 points against a disappointing USA team.

Guyana looked a champion side as they proved too strong for Barbados at home. This is the team that won the competition last year.

St Vincent arrived late in Wilhelmstadt and without their luggage. So apparently no team shirts and no boots. Well something went right for them because they held the home side to a very respectable score.

Bermuda, relegated from the Championship league last year were too strong for neighbours Turks and Caicos Islands.

The next round is on March 21.
Cayman Islands are due to begin their Championship campaign and are due in the USA to play USA South. Trinidad and Tobago also opens their Championship programme away to Barbados. St Vincent & Grenadines are due to Play St Lucia in a Southern Cup fixture whilst also a Souther Cup match will see the British Virgin Islands play Curacao. Rugby in the sun!

NACRA CARIBBEAN CUP 2015

All Games Played 07.03.2015

The Caribbean Cup is played for in two divisions. The top division, called the Championship, is played in two Zones; North and South. The second division is called The Cup and is also divided between north and south.

The two Championship winners play off for the final. The last placed side in each Championship zone has to play the winner of their respective Cup winning side.

In 2014 Mexico won by default against Bermuda to move to the Championship. Barbados defeated Curacao 29-0 to retain its place in the Championship. Guyana defeated USA South 30-27 in the final.

USA South v Mexico in Mexico City (Championship, North)

Referee: David Sherwin (Cayman Islands)

Venue: Universidad Iberoamericana Campus Santa Fe

Preview
This will be Mexico’s biggest game to date. Mexico were promoted to the Championship level after Bermuda defaulted their promotion/relegation game last year. This will be a huge step up for the Mexicans.

Mexico caused a bit of a stir when they defeated USA South back in 2011 but lost heavily to the Panthers away back in 2013.

USA South will be champing at the bit following their surprise defeat at home to Guyana in last year’s Caribbean Championship final. Despite playing away and playing at altitude I expect they will just be able to do enough to record a win.

Previous Encounters
19.01.2013 USA South 50-23 in Atlanta (Caribbean Championship, North R1)
09.04.2011 Mexico 25-9 in Mexico City (Caribbean Championship, North R1)

GWC Rugby Rankings do not apply. USA South not included

Prediction: USA South by 7 points. Score 29-22

Teams

USA South Squad

Tyler Bishop Tallahassee
Zach Blalock Birmingham
John Bryant Charleston...
Jeff Calvo Charlotte
Irving Carcamo Charlotte
Dana Corcoran University of South Carolina
Casey Davidson University of Georgia
Austin Dozier MTSU
Nathan Driggers University of Georgia
Amro Gouda Charlotte
Jason Hinchman Charlotte
Matt Hughston Charlotte
Charles Leadingham University of Kentucky
Chris Leatherwood Knoxville
Chris Milledge Charlotte
Alejandro Ospina Charlotte
Andrew Perkins Birmingham
Cole Schanilec UNCW
Chris Sigmund Charleston
Brendan Smith Birmingham
Calvin Storey Columbia
Ben Winiarczyk Tallahassee
David Winiarczyk Old White

Alternates
Robert Busbee University of South Carolina
Austin Grant Valdosta State U
Kyle Hudson Chattanooga
Stephen Johnson Raleigh
James Mathews Troy University
Leith McGuire Columbia
Scott Terrell Montgomery
Brandon Ward Charlotte

http://www.usarugbysouthpanthers.com/

Mexico Squad Unavailable

Barbados v Guyana in Georgetown (Championship, South)

Venue: The Guyana National Stadium, Providence

Referee: Miles McIvor (USA)

Preview
Guyana will be particularly strong at home. Last year they won, against expectations, against USA South in the final in the USA.

Other Previews
http://guyanachronicle.com/banks-dih-throws-support-behind-the-green-machine-guyana-to-play-barbados-in-nacra-15s-title-defence/

Previous Encounters
17.05.2014 Guyana 48-19 in Bridgetown (Championship South)
18.05.2013 Guyana 19-17 in Georgetown (Championship South, R2)
19.05.2012 Drawn 10-10 in Bridgetown (WCQ America; Champ, South R1)
11.06.2011 Guyana 20-7 in Georgetown (Championship, South R3)
08.08.2005 Barbados 27-17 in Georgetown (WCQ America; Championship)

There is a long rugby history between these two nations going back to the mid 1960’s when Guyana was known as British Guiana.

GWC Rugby Rankings
NACRA Table: Guyana 6th, Barbados 8th

Prediction: Guyana to win by 14 points. Score 32-18

Teams

Guyana Squad
Claudius Butts, Ryan Gonsalves, Kevon David, Joesph Rahaman, Allain Crawford, Cyon Kitt, Avery Corbin, Rickford Cummings, Theodore Henry, Richard Staglon, Phabion Joseph, Rondell McArthur, Peabo Hamilton, Godfrey Broomes, Jose Felicien, Jamal Angus, Akeem Fraser, Jason Tyrell, Dwayne Schroeder, Leon Greaves, Lancelot Adonis, Jermaine Prowell, Grantley Williams, Troy Bascom, Blaise Bailey, Delroy Gordon and Ronald Mayers.

Head Coach: Theodore Henry

http://guyanachronicle.com/grfu-names-provisional-squad-for-barbados-clash/

Barbados

Name                                   Date of Birth                Club
Nico Jason Alexander Blunt 10/07/1992                 (Scorpions RFC)
Jermaine Jamal Bynoe         02/06/1987                 (Tridents RFC)
Kevin Jamal Carter               21/09/1989                  (Renegades RFC)
Jerrin Akeen Clarke             11/10/1993                 (Emperors RFC)
Kevin D.A.Cobham               24/01/1992                  (Scorpions RFC
Bryan M.A. Cummings          04/02/1992                 (Scorpions RFC)
Ramon Mc Donald Downes  08/08/1987                  (Renegades RFC)
Raj Keyeuteyen S Edwards 10/02/1989                 (Scorpions RFC)
Anthony R.H. Faggiani         07/07/1986                  (?)
Neil Grantley Forde             04/03/1987                 (Scorpions RFC)
Jamal Omar Gonsalves        10/26/1988                 (Renegades RFC)
Troy Anderson Grant            28/02/1982                  (Tridents RFC)
Caston Henderson Howard  09/21/1986                 (?)
Le-andro Leo Jordan            09/02/1987                  (Tridents RFC)
Romeo James L Mayers      18/01/1980                 (Tridents RFC)
Stephen H.E Millar               12/01/1981                 (Scorpions RFC)
Greg Andre Moseley-Clarke 22/10/1978                 (Renegades RFC)
Kevin Cedric A Murrell          22/12/1989                  (Scorpions RFC)
Tahaire Shabazz Niels         09/03/1989                   (Renegades RFC)
Kenneth A Payne                01/04/1970                  (Renegades RFC) Age 44
Daniel Patrick A Ramsey     14/07/1994                  (Emperors RFC)
Dario Ricardo Stout              14/09/1992                  (?)
Shane Kevin B Taylor          17/06/1995                  (Scorpions RFC)
Mikyle Forde Walcott            02/06/1996                 (Emperors RFC) Age 18

Thanks to Kenneth Payne, Barbados RFU

Turks and Caicos Islands v Bermuda in Hamilton (Cup, North)

Venue: National Sports Centre

Referee: Ryan Hinckson (Guyana)

Preview
This will be a tough assignment for the visitors. They suffered at the hands of Mexico away last season. Mexico replaced Bermuda who were relegated to the Cup level. There was not a great deal between Mexico and Bermuda when they met last season.

Bermuda, on home soil, will be out to make the point that they should be at the Championship level. They are confident that for the first time in three years they have a full squad.

These two nations have never met before in a rugby test match.

Other Previews
http://www.islandstats.com/sport.asp?sport=6&photoeventid=0&assoc=1&newsid=32057

http://www.royalgazette.com/article/20150303/SPORT10/150309923

GWC Rugby Rankings
NACRA Table: Bermuda 5th, Turks and Caicos Islands 16th

Prediction: Bermuda too strong to win by 70 points. Score 78-8

Teams:

Turks and Caicos Islands squad not available

Bermuda Squad

Forwards:
Adam Richards
Aldo Campbell
Bennet Gibson
Chris Stafford
Conor McGlynn
Darren Richardson
Dustin Archibald
Jahan Cedenio
Mike Williams
Paul Dobinson
Peter Dunkerley
Richard Howells
Roedolf van der Westhuizen
Thomas Greenslade

Backs:
Dan Cole
Dunferd Davis
John Quigley
Nigel Burgess
Paddy Calow
Richard Cumbers
Steven Husbands
Thomas Edwards
Tom Healy

http://www.islandstats.com/sport.asp?sport=6&assoc=1&newsid=32053

St Vincent & Grenadines v Curacao in Wilhelmstadt (Cup, South)

Venue: Blue Bay Curacao Golf and Beach Resort

Referee: Toño Magallanes (Mexico)

Preview
Comments from Arthur Hogesteger (Curacao RFU). Edited

Our main players are Robert Perry, player coach and fly-half, Curtleyson Martis, winger and top try scorer for curacao. He will be the first player to reach 10 full international caps for Curacao, as rugby is only played since 2009. Veteren Marius van Noord will lead the pack, he is expected to dominate in the line-outs.There are two new caps with Eelco ten Molder on the flank as the rising star.

Our expectations is that the Cup Pool South will be tough this year. St Vincent brought in a coach from outside to build their team, and with St Lucia and BVI in a close game last weekend. We look forward to close and exiting games. We do hope to be able to play a promotion/relegation game versus either Barbados/Trinidad Tobago/Guyana in September 2015.

Matches Ahead
7 March Curacao - St Vincent
11 April Curacao - St Lucia
2 May BVI - Curacao

Previous Encounters
07.06.2014 Curacao 19-12 in Arnos Vale (Cup, South)
12.01.2013 Curacao 37-24 in Wilhelstadt (Championship, South R1)

GWC Rugby Rankings
NACRA Table: Curacao 11th, St Vincent and Grenadines 15th

Prediction: Curacao by 12 points. Score 30-18

Teams

St Vincent and Grenadines

Player                          Date of Birth      Club Affiliation
Brian Alexander       08/15/1994          Town Sharks
Kimran  Barnum       4/10/1988            Country Pirates
Seymour Browne     01/01/1975         Town Sharks (Age 40)
Rasheed Campbell   08/10/1994         Town Sharks
Gilan Comas                7/6/1989             Town Sharks
Recardo Dallaway     2/11/1983           Town Sharks
Dellon Durrant         11/03/1994          Country Pirates
Kemi Francois             10/25/85             Town Sharks
Jonathan Franklyn     5/31/1992          Town Sharks
Guy Hadley                  8/19/1979           Town Sharks (Age 35)
Kenmore Kit Horne   5/13/1989          Country Pirates
Dugal James                4/24/1981           Canouan All Blacks
Antony Joseph           9/7/1984             Country Pirates
George Kruger          6/26/1994            Country Pirates
Anizo Lewis                 4/9/1985             Country Pirates
Godfrey Matthews    8/15/1988         Leeward Unrulies
Leonard Matthews   12/06/1985       Leeward Unrulies
Benson Nanton        7/17/1997             Leeward Unrulies (Age 17)
Andrew Phillips (C)    9/14/1986          Country Pirates
Richardo Roberts    11/01/1995           Town Sharks
Justin Tittle                  8/4/1983             Town Sharks
Kemron  Thomas       02/16/1990        Town Sharks
Head Coach: Mark Winder

Adapted from email thanks to Valerie Pelletier Acting Secretary
St Vincent and Grenadines RFU

Adapted from email thanks to Valerie Pelletier Acting Secretary
St Vincent and Grenadines RFU

Curacao

1-Glenno Fransman
2-Edel Calmes
3-Carlos Hernandez
4-Eelco te Molder (new cap)
5-Marius van Noort
6-Paulo de Sousa Feirra (captain)
7-Emanuel Koenders
8-Junnyfer Fidanque
9-Oscar Abril-Bonthuis
10-Robert Perry (player coach)
11-Curtleyson Martis (first player for curacao to reach 10 caps)
12-Derk Sonnenberg
13-Arlito dos Passos
14-Jedrick Magdalena
15-Charlie Dekker
Replacements
16-Arthur Hogesteger
17-Mark Verburg
18-Varley Felipa (new cap)
19-Duran Sikkerlad
20-Erik Linsen
21-Ulrich Tomasa
22-Lando Pieters
23-Jerwien Maduro

Coach: Jay Solley
Team Manager: Maarten Aalbers

Thanks to Arthur Hogesteger, Curacao RFU

TEST RUGBY RESULTS: Sunday 7 April

07.04.2013
Moldova 38, Ukraine 18 in Odessa (WCQ Europe R4; ENC 1B)
Barbados 41, Curacao 3 in Bridgetown (NACRA Caribb. Championship, North R1)

Briefly
Moldova proved too strong for Ukraine whilst Barbados won easily over Curacao

BARBADOS v CURACAO; NACRA Caribbean Championship Round 1, South

07.04.2013

Venue: Savannah Garrison, Bridgetown

Referee: Andrew McMaster (Canada)

Preview
Curacao has defeated St Vincent & Grenadines 37-24 and British Virgin Islands 38-10 to reach this stage of the competition. Barbados will be a lot stronger than their previous opponents. They also lose the home ground advantage.

‘Barbados play their first game in the Championships at home to Curacao who beat BVI in the previous round. After a convincing victory against HMS Edinburgh, Head Coach Stu Copeland has announced his squad which is as follows:- Kyle Harewood, Kyle Smith, Neil Forde, Jeren Clarke, Jamar Harewood, Caston Henderson, Morgan Seale, Raj Edwards, Stephen Millar, Kevyn Murrell, Dwight Forde, Kean Blackman, Mario Holder, Runako Padmore, Daniel Ramsey, Irfan Khan, Nico Blunt, Kevin Carter, Omar James, Steve Atwell, Nick Jackman, Sean Ward, Ramoun Downes, Kenneth Payne, Kevin Cobham, Tahaire Niles, Rondell Cumberbatch, Dario Stoute.
The squad combines youth and experience and should have enough firepower to come away with a victory on their home turf if they play to their potential.’

http://www.rugbybarbados.com/

Prediction: Barbados by 20 points.

CURACAO v BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS NACRA Caribbean Championship South R1 Final

15.02.2013

Venue: A.O.Shirley Field, Tortola

Referee:

Previews
As is the case in many nations where rugby is a developing sport, the financial burden to play international test rugby can be immense. For Curacao this was the case until last week. There was a distinct possibility they would not make the trip to the British Virgin Islands and have to forfeit the game. A sponsor was found and the team was on its way.

To read about this crisis go to..(you will need a translation)
http://curacaosport.com/rugbyselectie-met-handen-in-het-haar/
http://curacaosport.com/insel-air-helpt-rugbyteam-uit-de-brand/

The BVI have the home advantage.

Other Previews
http://bvinews.com/bvi/exciting-weekend-ahead-for-bvi-rugby/

This is the first time these two nations have met in a 15’s rugby test match.

Curacao Last Three (That’s all they have played!)
28.04.2012 v Barbados XV L 5-18 in Bridgetown (Friendly)
29.04.2012 v St Lucia in Gros Islet (Friendly)
12.01.2013 v St Vincent & Grenadines W 37-24 in Wilhelmstad (NACRA South R1)

British Virgin Islands (Last Four)
26.01.2013 v St Lucia W 41-35 in Corinth (NACRA South R1)
30.04.2011 v Barbados L 13-19 in Tortola (NACRA South R2)
09.04.2011 v St Vincent & Grenadines W 25-13 in Kingston (NACRA South R1)
08.05.2010 v Barbados XV L 17-26 in Bridgetown (Friendly)

GWC Rugby Rankings
NACRA Table-British Virgin Islands 11th, Curacao 13th

Prediction: British Virgin Islands by 4 points

Teams

British Virgin Islands Squad
1 Clinton Hempel
2 Andrew Simmons
3 Adrian O’Neill
4 Edward Vasquez
5 Federico Zicari
6 Andrae Adams
7 Vivieon Harry
8 Patrick Dennis
9 Jimmy Peters
10 Dustyn Molver
11 Jerome Springette
12 Donovan Staple (Capt).
13 Thomas Chapman
14 Austin Kiel
15 Franklyn Victor
16 Lester Hamer
17 Damion Brown
18 Jeavan Thompson
19 Simon Knight
20 Rory Thornton
21 Melvin Knight
22 Frank McGing

Head Coach: Sherlock Solomon

http://bvinews.com/bvi/exciting-weekend-ahead-for-bvi-rugby/

Curacao Squad not available

‘The day after the NACRA match, there will be more matches involving BVI, USVI, Curaçao and Princeton from the USA. These will probably be 7s matches?
USVI vs. Princeton
BVI vs. USVI
Princeton vs. Curaçao
BVI vs. Princeton
Curaçao vs. USVI
Ladies Touch Rugby: BVI vs. USVI
http://www.bvirugby.com/events/ivy-leag ... ash-rugby/’
Thanks to ‘mcruic’ at http://www.fira-aer-rugby.com/forum2007/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=4210&start=45

TEST RUGBY RESULT

12.01.2013
Curacao 37, St Vincent and Grenadines 24 in Willemstad (NACRA South R1)

CURACAO v ST VINCENT & GRENADINES: NACRA

12.01.2012
St Vincent and Grenadines v Curacao in Welhemstad (NACAR South R1)

Venue:UNA, Jannoerduynweg

Referee: Piet Veldhuizen (Netherlands)

Preview
Curacao is a small group of islands off the coast of Venezuela. Originally a Dutch colony and a vital link in old trade routes, Curacao is officially a ‘constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands’ according to Wikipedia.

Curacao began its test rugby history just last year with a tour of Barbados and St Lucia. They lost 8-15 to a Barbados XV and then 19-43 to St.Lucia.

Curacao v Barbados XV 2012
Image thanks to flickr.com

St Vincent and Grenadines has a slightly longer test rugby history. My records show they played their first rugby test match in 2003 with two wins against neighbours St.Lucia. Two years later they lost to St Lucia in a World Cup qualifying preliminary game. In 2008 they again lost a World Cup qualifying preliminary, this time 7-47 to Mexico at home. In 2011 they were knocked out of the NACRA Championship first round by the British Virgin Islands. Last year they lost to Barbados twice in the NACRA Championship Round 1 and World Cup qualifying tournament.

St Vincent and Grenadines lost to Mexico in 2008.

NACRA is the governing body for rugby in North America and the Caribbean. The championship is divided into a north zone and a south zone. All the round 1 games for both zones will be played in January. Each winner of round 1 will go into the round 2 zones.`

The competition looks like this.

North Zone
Round 1
N1-19/01 Mexico v USA South in Atlanta
N2-26/01 Turks and Caicos Islands v Jamaica in Providenciales
N3-Winner N1 v Winner N2

Round 2-Round Robin N3 winner, Cayman Islands and Bermuda

South Zone
Round 1
S1-19/01 St Vincent and Grenadines v Curacao in Welhamstad
S2-26/01 St Lucia v British Virgin Islands in St Lucia
S3-Winner S1 v Winner S2

Round 2-Round Robin S3 winner. Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago

Final: North R2 winner v South R2 winner

These two teams have not met before in a 15’s rugby test match. St Vincent & Grenadines lost twice to Barbados last year whilst Curacao lost to a Barbados XV also last year. That tells me that St Vincent will be too strong for the local side.

Prediction: St Vincent and Grenadines by 25 points

TEAMS

St Vincent and Grenadines Squad

Justin Joyles
Justin Tittle
Leonard Matthews
Gilan Comas
Kimron Barnum
Recardo Dallaway
Guy Hadley
Phillip Alvis
Delroy Diamond
Anizo Lewis
Godfrey Matthews
Dugal James
Odonza Dennie
Kevin Bailey
Seymour Browne
Subs
Kemi Francois
Kemron Thomas
Joel Stowe

Thanks to Jacqueline De Freitas, President St Vincent and Grenadines Rugby Union.

Curacao Squad not available