FOLLOWING their 34 – 26 win against Barbados on Saturday, Richard Staglon, vice-captain of the ‘Green Machine’, believes that while the game was tough, his side will now shift their attention to facing arch rivals Trinidad and Tobago on June 10 at the National Park.

Guyana made a successful start to their Rugby Americas North (RAN) South Zone 15’s title with another impressive win against Barbados, but Staglon told Chronicle Sport that it was not as easy as the score-line would suggest.

Staglon was the star of the day, scoring three tries, while Vallon Adams had two tries and Ahmad Isaacs scored a try on his debut. Rickford Cummings scored two conversions.

The last time the two sides faced each other, Guyana hammered Barbados 48 – 17, but, this time around, Staglon explained that the ‘Bajan’ ruggers were well prepared, as well as Guyana entering the game a little bombastic.

However, the player many consider as the back bone of Guyana’s rugby, believes that the result is good for the sport and it shows growth on the part of Barbados.

At half time, Staglon said the score was 10 – 10, with Barbados making the game difficult for their visiting counterparts, while some bad handling of the ball didn’t help Guyana’s cause.

“The guys thought the game would’ve been easy, but Barbados really surprised us, but that’s good for the sport. I was happy with the way they (Barbados) came together and really brought the game to us” Staglon said, but also explained that Guyana showed their superiority and regained control of the game.

Staglon praised debutant Isaacs, whom he said had a solid run and certainly cemented his place in Guyana’s Rugby programme, as the Guyana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) look to expand their pool of players in preparation of a busy international season.

“We went up 34 points, then they scored a couple points when we made a couple changes and we took our foot off the pedal. I think we’re in good shape right now…that game puts us in a good place to face Trinidad” Staglon said.

Guyana is acknowledged by many as the most feared Rugby team in the Caribbean, more so in the game’s shortest version – sevens. However, in the 15’s format, they have made some historical strides, with their victory 30 – 27 against the USA (South) in 2014 to win their maiden NACRA (now known as RAN) 15’s title in Atlanta being their biggest achievement yet.

In both 7’s and 15’s, Trinidad remains Guyana’s toughest opposition and while Guyana did defeat them 23 – 18 last year to win their RAN South Zone 15’s title, Staglon was adamant that this time around, he’s expecting an even closer game.

“I think coming up against Trinidad, which will be a tough game, it will boil down to the conditions on the day” said Staglon.

‘We would like to play wide against Trinidad and play a lot of open Rugby, but then it depends on the conditions on the day of the game. We would like to play wide, play to our strengths (speed) and get them running” said Staglon who plays his rugby in Trinidad and Tobago along with a number of his teammates on the ‘Green Machine’.