Trinidad and Tobago hosted the opening match of the 2024 Rugby Americas North (RAN) Senior Men’s 15s Championships on Saturday, April 27, 2024 at the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Port-of-Spain. In the first of the home and away fixtures, regional rivals, Guyana made a statement with their 1-point win over the T&T Team.
Fueled by Blue Waters, Prestige Holdings, and Angostura – with Exiles Rugby Youth Club and the T&T Rugby Referees Society putting out a spread, our honoured guests and die-hard fans, flocked to the Hasely Crawford Stadium to cheer on the Red, White, and Black, in the highly anticipated face-off of the two top Senior Men’s Rugby 15s Southern Caribbean Teams.
The game was attended by Ambassador Morales Meléndez of Mexico, where the 2024 RAN Men’s Under 19 & Senior Women’s 15s Tournament will be held in July, was in attendance, along with past Rugby World Cup Host Nation’s, Ambassadors Chabert and Yutaka from France and Japan, respectively. Our own Ministry of Sport and Community Development was represented by the Director of Physical Education and Sport, Mr. McTair; and our past and present Rugby Officers from The Sports Company of Trinidad and Tobago, Mr. Williams, Ms. Clifford, and Ms. Sooker also showed their much-appreciated support.
Trinidad and Tobago, confident following victories over Barbados and USA South in 2023, met the Guyana Team with dominance in the first 30 minutes of the match. Alexander took advantage of a penalty putting the first 3 points on the board at the 11th minute, and Phillip added 10 more points with back-to-back tires. Guyana, determined to make a statement in their first international match since 2019, refused to enter the second-half without points on their side of the scoreboard. Pollydore and McArthur scored tries in the 34th and 38th minutes and Braithwaithe kicked a successful conversion to finish the first-half on the heels of the home team, with a half-time score of T&T 13 to Guyana 12.
Guyana continued strong as the second-half kicked off, with a quick try and conversion from McArthur and Brathwaithe within two minutes, bringing fans to the edge of their seats. Joseph appeased the crowd with a try in the 50th minute and Taylor brought the team back out in front with another try, brining the score to 23 to 19 in the 60th minute. As both teams reached for their fuel reserves, McArthur sealed a hattrick to put Guyana back in the lead by one point in the 79th minute. In the 80th minute, Taylor released a beast, beating 3 defenders and carrying the ball 80 meters, with the crowd on their feet screaming for the win. Meer feet from the try line, Pollydore dashed the hopes of T&T with a try-saving tackle that secured the win for the Green Machine.
The game was streamed live by 360Tv and is available on YouTube for viewing, via the link – https://www.youtube.com/live/zBdIDEv-Rv0?si=p_tIUsXEJGMpqyTj
The outcome of the match did not dampen the post-match festivities, as rivals turned friends enjoyed the camaraderie of a meal and lime together along with supporters and the High-Definition Audio and Video crew, who kept the vibes high by providing the game’s public address system.
The T&T Men are already back out to training as they prepare to even the score in Guyana, where we will be hosted for the second match of the home and away fixtures.
The rival teams share a history of competition dating back to 1927 – which was elevated in 1929, the inaugural year of the Mac Gregor Cup. Donated by avid rugger, then Attorney General of Trinidad and Tobago, Sir Adrian Mac Gregor, the annual match with the then British Guiana, is one that both the Trinidad & Tobago Rugby Union and the Guyana Rugby Football Union seek to revive.
Photos Taken by: Self Authored Media / Shari John
