July 30, 2017
USA Rugby South Hold Off Guyana Rally to Win Rugby Americas North Championship
Photo: Delano Williams
Doug Coil
The USA Rugby South Panthers quelled a late rally by Guyana to win the RAN Championship 23-19 at National Park in Georgetown, Guyana on Saturday, July 29.
USA Rugby South, in winning the Championship, was able to feel some vindication of their double overtime loss to Guyana in the 2014 Final in their only previous meeting.
For Guyana, the 2014 RAN Championship was their only title in reaching the final six times.
The USA Rugby South had a 13-0 lead at halftime from tries by John Bryant and captain Hein Eramus and a conversion from Zach Miller.
in the second half, South extended their lead to 16-0 after a Miller penalty kick.
Guyana fought back to the delight of their home crowd at the National Park, Avery Corbin scored a try and Allen Crawford added a conversion to narrow the score to 16-7.
USA Rugby South answered back with a try Jordon Gunderson and Miller converted for a 23 – 7 lead.
Guyana defensive held, while Osie McKenzie scored two tries; the first at the 77th minute and again at the 80th minute, with Lancelot Adonis missing a conversion, and Godfrey Broomes successful on the other, as the Guyana rally came up short, 23-19.
The home crowd applauded the ‘Green Machine’ performance, while also showing appreciation for the USA side’s were rugged style of play.
Rawle Toney, in the Guyana Chronicle, provides an interesting perspective about the match.
For more about this match click on the links -match preview July 29, USA Rugby South Squad July 17 and an earlier June preview of how the teams advanced to the final.
Guyana Squad:
1 Jason Tyrell, 2 Claudius Butts, 3 Rickford Cummings, 4 Ryan Gonsalves, 5 Vallon Adams, 6 Richard Staglon, 7 Peabo Hamilton, 8 Avery Corbin, 9 Godfrey Broomes, 10 Ronald Mayers, 11 Ahmed Issacs, 12 Dwayne Schroeder, 13 Kevon David, 14 Rondell McArthur, 15 Ronald Mayers 16 Allen Crawford, 17 Dillon Downer, 18 Cyon Pitt, 19 Lancelot Adonis, 20 Cloyd Prowell, 21 Jamal Angus, 22 Patrick King, 23 Osie McKenzie
USA Rugby South Squad
1) Stephen Cappello (Mystic River)
2) Jamal Hadley (Old Blue NY)
3) Alex Nazon (Charleston Outlaws)
4) John Bryant (Charleston Outlaws)
5) Wayne Chermely (Knoxville)
6) Jordan Gunderson (Southern Pines)
7) Lyall Harrison (Chattanooga)
8) Hein Erasmus (Captain) (Miami Tridents)
9) Jarrett Gartin (NARC)
10) Adam Channel (Belmont Shore)
11) Mikey Sanders (Optimus Rugby)
12) Colton Cariaga (Life U./USA Islanders)
13) Matt Hughston (Charlotte)
14) Cormac Kenan (Southern Pines)
15) Zach Miller (NARC)
16) Matt Fontana (Atlanta Renegades)
17) Amro Gouda (Charlotte)
18) Kyle Hudson (Chattanooga)
19) Calvin Storey (Raleigh)
20) Todd Sherer (Southern Pines)
21) Charlie Hutchings (Tampa Krewe)
22) David Coleman (Birmingham)
23) Nathan Ring (Nashville)
USA Rugby South Coaching Staff
Rene Daniel (Head Coach USA Rugby South)
Francesco Balsas (Coach USA Rugby South)
Renaldo Arroya (Coach Valdosta State U)
Pete Redmond (Coach Augusta)
Sean Borman (Medical Rugby Academy of America)
Gary Kent (Mgr Columbus/Fort Benning)
Kevin Kitto (President USA Rugby South)
