Local rugby players enjoyed a valuable and successful outing, in spite of the last minute withdrawal of the Trinidad and Tobago schoolboys, when the Under-19s Rugby Sevens International Tournament was held at the Garrison Savannah last weekend.
Barbados fielded four teams – two juniors and two seniors – with the British Virgin Islanders also entering two teams. Barbados won both seniors and juniors categories in spite of some robust opposition from the visitors as well as the two Bajan B teams.
Vice-president of the local association, Kenneth Payne, said that Barbados had decided to field two senior teams to be courteous hosts as BVI had brought along their seniors and they wanted some match play as well.
“Of course, our focus was on the performance of the juniors since the tournament was supposed to provide them with international exposure and match training,” he said.
The tournament proved to be timely as Barbados are preparing for a regional Under-19s Rugby Sevens.
The host country and the date are to be finalized for the tournament which is expected be held for the first time this year.
Barbados expect their stiffest challenge to come from Trinidad and Tobago and the Cayman Islands. (KB)
