By : Ras Wadada

GUYANA’s National Rugby team, the “Green Machine,” made light work of Jamaica when the two countries met yesterday at the National Park in a NACRA 15s World Cup qualifier group match.In overcast and muddy conditions, the Guyanese Ruggers did not disappoint the several hundred fans as they dominated the Jamaicans in a flawless second-half display for a comprehensive 23-5 victory and second win in the four-team group.
The “Green Machine” took the lead 8-5 on the stroke of half-time, thanks to some excellent ball handling that started from a line-off on the attacking left about 10 yards from the touch line and s

tretched across to the extreme right.
Lancelot Adonis in taking the ball over the touchline also had to take a Jamaican for over a yard with him as held on, but could not stop the first of five touch downs for the afternoon.
Seven minutes earlier, Guyana reduced the lead after Ryan Gonsalves scored a field goal from about 22 yards out to make the score 5-3, after the visitors took an early 5-0 lead which was their only moment of joy In the 70-minute contest.
Immediately after the interval, the “Green Machine,” now going with the North Atlantic breeze, increased the lead as the dreadlocked Ronald “Dixie” Meyers exhibited a great presence of mind to skilfully boot the ball forward like a soccer player and leapt to catch it as it went over the touch line.
The ensuing goal kick by Gonsalves went off target, but Guyana now led 13-5.
Coach Laurie Adonis was forced to make two changes at the half as Dane Parks and Avery Corbin suffered minor injuries and were replaced; and it was one of the substitutes, Patrick King, who made the 4th touchdown in fantastic style as he leapt over the touchline to catch the ball in midair before touching down, much to the delight of fans who erupted again. Gonsalves would again miss the goal-kick for the extra point, but the lead was now 18-5 .
The now seemingly well oiled “Green Machine” continued their relentless attacks and dominated the game as play was concentrated in the Jamaican half for most of the second half.
Just before the end, the Guyanese defence was tested and they responded strongly and stubbornly to thwart the Jamaican attempt for a touchdown.
On the counter attack after winning the ball, the Guyanese went down the left side and in a flowing motion, King, from close to the sideline, received a pass and bisected two on-rushing Jamaicans to find Claudius Butts, who sped away for about 25 yards for the final touchdown of the encounter.
And for the third time Gonsalves failed to convert as the final whistle came minutes after, much to the relief of the Jamaicans who never looked comfortable in the muddy conditions.
Coach Adonis in a post-game comment expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance, “It was a really tough game, but being patient and sticking to the game plan and patterns of play was our focus. It was a disciplined performance because after Jamaica went ahead early, we did not lose our cool but just continued with our game plan and it worked. I am very happy for the team.”
His opposite New Zealand-born Tony Greenaway was gracious in defeat, but pointed to the conditions. “I am proud of the team as in the past we played a lot individually, but this game we played as a team.
“The Guyanese obviously knew the conditions better. We are not used to playing in these kinds of conditions and it is difficult to handle the ball and we did not adapt. I thought the Guyanese were fantastic. They handled the ball well and played solid defence.”
Guyana will next play Trinidad and Tobago in the Twin-Island Republic next month.