PERSISTENT attacks late in the second half led to Guyana’s sweet 19-17 come-from-behind victory against Barbados in the second round of the NACRA Senior Men’s 15s Caribbean Rugby Championships yesterday at the Guyana National Stadium. The visitors played a tremendous first half with more superior plays and fewer mistakes than Guyana, whom they led 17-0 by the half.
Guyana, a very ordinary side in the first half with multiple fumbles by senior players and predictable running plays, came out a completely different team after their talks with head coach Theodore Henry in the dressing room.
Scoring first for Guyana was Claudius Butts who just made it over the try line after Guyana’s first progressive play was put together near Bajan territory.
Then the cunning, big-built Avery Corbin was rewarded eventually after his consistent drives towards goal through a relentless Bajan pack. Corbin scored twice and both tries were converted by captain Ryan Gonsalves. However, he missed the conversion after Butts’ try.
It was the fitness of the Guyanese side that prevailed since Barbados team wilted as the clock ticked.
Earlier, two tries from Barbados’ Shaun English and a try from Christian Preece along with a conversion from captain Dwight Forde left Guyana in pressure.
Now, only a win against Trinidad and Tobago stands in the path of Guyana retaining the South Zone title.
Chronicle Sport also confirmed that South USA defeated Bermuda 22-14 yesterday to win the North Zone title, which means if Guyana retain the title, they get to host the North Zone/South Zone battle.