USA Rugby South vs. Cayman Rugby

Rugby Americas North Men’s 15s Championship

The Rugby Americas North Men’s 15s Championship was held on Saturday, July 7 at the Old White Rugby Facility in Atlanta, Georgia. With both the USA Rugby South Panthers and Cayman Rugby having beaten Bermuda, the USA Rugby South successfully defended the title with a 42-14 win over Cayman Rugby.

The USA Rugby South took a 21-0 lead into the break after a try by Alex Maughhan in the 3rd minute, three penalty kicks by Lucas Baistrocchi in minute 18, 24, and 34, and a try by Waymon Cassell which was then converted by Baistrocchi.

The Panthers extended the lead to 28-0 two minutes into the second half after a Hein Erasmus try and Baistrocchi conversion. In the 54th minute, Amro Guda grounded the ball and Baistrocci again converted for a 35-0 lead.

Finally, in the 64th minute, Cayman Rugby’s scrumhalf Dave Stringer got the team on the board with a try and a conversion. The Panthers answered right back four minutes later with a by David Coleman, which was converted again pushing the lead to 42-7.

In the final minute, Cayman fullback Killian Everard added a try and Dave Stringer converted cutting the final score to 42-14.

With the win, USA Rugby South successfully defended their 2017 Rugby Americas North Championship.

Squads

USA Rugby South Panthers: Alex Maughan (Life U), Amro Gouda (NOLA Gold), Austin Grant (Olympus), Ben Foley (Fort Hood), Ben Paul (Fort Bragg), Calvin Storey (Raleigh),Colby Townsend (Hilton Head), David Coleman (Denver Barbarians), Dontae Lawrence (Savannah), Hein Erasmus (capt.) (Miami Tridents), Jarrett Gartin (Atlanta Old White), Jason Riekena (Life U), Joe Bambinelli (Atlanta Old White), Keenan Kayser (U Tennessee), Lucas Baistrocchi (Atlanta Old White), Matt Fortana (Atlanta Renegades), Matt Hughston (NOLA Gold), Michael Martinez (Nashville), Patrick Audino (Naples), Sam Tramell (Atlanta Renegades), Waymon Cassell (Nashville), Zack Blalock (Nashville), Zach Miller (Southern Pines)

Rene Daniel Head Coach USARS
Francesco Balsas Coach Atlanta Old White
Renaldo Arroyo Coach Valdosta St U
Pete Raymond Coach Augusta
Shawn Elms Coach Morehouse College
Craig Weyer Medical New River Wellness
Kevin Kitto Mgr USARS
Gary Kent Mgr Columbus/Fort Benning

Cayman Men’s National XV Squad: 1.Dan Florek 2.Conor Brady* 3.Jonny Gibson 4.Shane Cusack 5.Jeffrey Robinson 6.Barry John Goude* 7.Shane Westin 8. Chris Kennedy (Capt) 9.Dave Stringer 10.Morgan Shelver 11. Darien Montague 12.Venasio Tokatokavanua 13.Mikey Wilson 14.Ian Smith 15.Killian Everard 16.Andy Hall 17.Jordan Southway 18.Pete DeVere 19.Dylan Bostock 20.Ben Blair 21.Cameron Bridgeman*
22.Phil Parker 23.Alex Pineau + (* uncapped player)

Head Coach – Garry Southway
Director of Rugby – Jovan Bowles
Team Manager – Rhian Minty
Rugby Consultant – Ólan Daly
Physio – Dwain McGuiness
Operations Manager – Caroline Deegan