WITH President Donald Ramotar watching from the sidelines, the ‘Green Machine’ made an impressive start to their NACRA 15’s title defence, when they trashed Barbados 48 – 22 at the National Park Rugby Field yesterday.

Guyana, who is unarguably the Caribbean’s most dominant Rugby nation, showed why they are highly ranked in the world and the best in the region with a brilliant display of passing, aggression, while showing off their athleticism in front of a vociferous crowd at the venue.

The conditions at the country’s lone Rugby facility were perfect for both teams but Guyana was too strong and was by far the more superior side.

Winger Avery Corbin put the home side on top 15 minutes into the contest but five minute later, Ryan Edwards equalised for the visitors.

However, that would be the first and the last try the ‘Bajans’ would score as Guyana would go on to see Jamal Angus and Blaise Bailey both scoring tries and a single conversion from Captain Ryan Gonsalves to close the first half leading 17 – 5.

It was all about the ‘Green Machine’ from there on. With the crowd cheering and chants of Guyana along with the Golden Arrow Head waving, centre Claudius Butts broke down the Barbados defence to score Guyana’s first try of the second half and Gonsalves made good of the conversion to push the Guyanese up 24 – 5.

Bailey then scored his second try of the game and though Gonsalves failed to make good of the conversion, Captain and Coach Theodore Henry rolled back the years and sent the crowd in an uproar when he collected a pass from Richard Staglon and burst into a speed down the right flank and with several ‘Bajans’ giving chase to make his way to the end zone.

Gonsalves converted (36 – 5) and Staglon would later score a try of his own while Jermaine Prowell scored the conversion to help Guyana pile on a commanding 43 – 5 lead.

Edwards scored another try for Barbados; their first in the second half then eight minutes later Stephen Miller scored which led a Ryan Cummings conversion (43 – 17).

But Angus would put the icing on the cake and added some toppings as well; scoring his second try to put the game out of reach for Barbados (48 – 17) even though Jarren Clarke would score the game’s last try to close the lopsided contest 48 – 22.

Caption: Guyana’s Blaise Bailey powering his way to score one of his two tries in the game against Barbados yesterday. (Delano Williams photos)
Photo Name: Bailey scores

Caption: President Donald Ramotar joined by Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh, Minister of Sport Dr. Frank Anthony and GRFU President Peter Green at yesterday’s match.
Photo Name: President

By Rawle Toney