… kick off RAN 15s South Zone title defence tomorrow

THE Green Machine, Guyana’s National rugby team, will depart Guyana today via the Eugene F. Correira International Airport on the first LIAT flight out to the Land of the Flying Fish, where they will face the ‘Bajan’ ruggers tomorrow in their opening game of the Rugby Americas North (RAN) 15s Championship.
Set for the Garrison Field, Guyana are the reigning RAN 15s South Zone champions, and, according to head coach Kenneth Grant-Stuart, the 23-man squad will be heading to Barbados confident of coming out on top.
Guyana defeated Barbados 48-17 last year when the Guyanese were on their way to clinching another title, but this time around, Grant-Stuart is prepared for a tougher time against the ‘Bajan’ side.
Grant-Stuart told Chronicle Sport that the team is made up of the familiar faces who helped Guyana to become one of the most feared rugby nations in the Caribbean, especially in the shortest format of the game (Sevens).
Guyana will then face foes, Trinidad and Tobago, at the National Park Rugby Field on June 10 in a rematch of last year’s South Zone final. The last time the two countries met, Guyana walked away 23-18 winners.
The Green Machine are the current runners-up to Mexico in the Regional RAN 15s Championships as well as current RAN 7s Caribbean Champions.
Squad: Ryan Gonsalves (captain), Richard Staglon (vice-captain), Avery Corbin, Peabo Hamilton, Ronald Mayers, Godfrey Broomes, Dwayne Schroeder, Sean Phillips, Vallon Adams, Ahmed Isaacs, Rondel McArthur, Jason Tyrell, Allain Crawford, Kevon David, Jamal Angus, Troyton Braithwaite, Patrick King, Joseph Rahaman, Cyon Kitt, Toby David, Osie Mckenzie, Rickford Cummings and Blaise Bailey.