PANTHERS Rugby Club came out winners 12-7 over Trinidad Northern Rugby Club after 14 minutes of intense battle, to win this year’s STAG Beer Guyana Carnival 7s tournament on Sunday evening at the National Park.

The scores were level, 7-7, at halftime and based on the relentless defending by the two sides, the game seemed set to go into extra time.

However, Osie McKenzie made a blistering run down the middle to score what would be the winning try of the game.

Jamal Angus had scored the first try which was converted by Godfrey Broomes.
The visitors quickly responded with a breakaway of their own with Davel Scott making the try which was brilliantly converted by Sebastian Navarro.

Northern had trounced Panthers 22-7 during the preliminary stages and knocked out defending champions Pepsi Hornets via a 14-0 rout.
Panthers drew 12-12 with Yamaha Caribs in the first match and got convincing victories over Hornets (14-12) and Police (29-7).

Panthers captain Rondell McArthur said they were overjoyed with the victory, especially after bouncing back from a tough defeat to Northern.

Journalist Rawle Toney, chief organiser of the event, expressed great delight at the high level of play. He strongly believes the one-day event gave the national selection panel an overview of possible options for the Olympic Qualifiers for Cayman Islands in July.

Toney also brought broader smiles to players by stating the first-place prize will move to US$5000 next year, making it the most lucrative tournament in the Caribbean.

“Let me say this now; Guyana Carnival Rugby Sevens will be $1M (US$5000). I am putting that out there because we have the support of our sponsors. This year’s tournament, as it is, recognised as the second largest prize money for rugby in the Caribbean and next year we will supersede that of any tournament in the Caribbean,” he fervently stated.

Apart from Ansa McAL Trading Limited through the STAG Beer brand, Guyana Lottery Company’s Let’s Bet Sports and Ramps Logistics were the other partners. (Information extracted from the Newsroom).