Stars Rugby 7s Edges Babson College to Win Rugby Paradise Smash
Doug Coil
The USVI Rugby Football Union hosted the Rugby Paradise Smash Sevens tournament on March 25th at the College of the Virgin Islands, Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, USVI.
In the final, Babson College held a 7-0 lead at the break before Stars Rugby 7s came back with two tries to win 12-7.
The Stars Rugby 7s squad was coached by Zack Stryffeler. Zach plays for the Scioto Valley RFC, the Columbus Premier D1 Club. He is also a trainer at the Tiger Rugby Academy and previously played for the Ohio Aviators.
Stars Rugby 7s Squad: Darien Street, Myles McQuone, Daejon Street, Jakeb Thomas Glaser, Joey Broderick III, Connor O’Brien, Jacob Griffin, Chase Jollie, Jacob Taylor Harline, Will Crawford, CJ Williams, Martin Pittman, Coach Zack Stryffeler and Manager Liz Entwhistle
Photo: Liz Entwhistle – Stars Rugby 7s
Photo: Babson United Rugby Club
In addition to Stars Rugby 7s U-23, and Babson College, Bowdoin College and the British Virgin Islands U-23 team competed in Rugby Paradise Smash.
Photo: Bowdoin Rugby Football Club
Photo: British Virgin Islands Rugby Football Union -Sherlock Solomon: Youth Rugby
Photo: Rugby Paradise Smash
The tournament organizer Mark Grimes included other events during the week. These included beach rugby, a youth clinic, and participation in community service projects such as, partnering with My Brother’s Workshop, the Virgin Islands Marine Advisory Service, and the Humane Society.
Both Dallen Standford and Luke Hume were there and lent their support to the tournament as commentators and in promoting youth rugby. Both Dallen and Luke were on News 2 TV and the March 24th broadcast should not be missed.
Carrick Pell, Babson Rugby Head Coach posted that in addition to Babson Rugby finishing 2nd to USA Stars Select in Inaugural Rugby Paradise Smash on St Thomas, USVI, that freshman, Charlie Roth, was named the Tournament MVP. Additionally, Sam Casey (Captain/Jr.) and Matt Renzi (Sr) were named to the All-Tournament Team. Babson topped the All Tournament Team with 3 players, the Stars had 2, while Bowdoin & BVI each had 1.
Preview article by DJCoil Rugby on Rugby Paradise Smash.
The Virgin Islands Free Press also previewed the Rugby Paradise Smash Tournament on March 4th.
“The Virgin Islands Rugby Football Union was founded in 2012 and competes perennially with BVI Clubs, the San Juan Men’s Club, and hosts stateside teams here in the Virgin Islands. The club is active on all three islands and competes in 7’s and 15’s rugby.
The club also hosts contact and non-contact rugby games for all, as well as monthly social events including beach rugby and Frenchtown Fives.”
Mark Grimes, the tournament organizer said that “All Virgin Islanders, men and women of all ages, are welcome to be a part of our Union,” Grimes said. “Our primary mission is to promote the sport of rugby in the USVI, and to support and develop athletes for competition at local, regional, national and international levels.
“While rugby is our main focus, the USVI Rugby Football Union’s vision is to provide a variety of programs that serve our community as the Union grows. Through goal setting, teamwork, hard work, and discipline, our programs will catalyze and create new opportunities and success for our participants both on and off the field.”
