Tours

A BVI Barbarians XVs rugby team toured the Dominican Republic (DR) over the course of the weekend of 25 and 26 November and played against a DR Select XV as hosted by Asociación de Rugby Santo Domingo Provincia. 

BVI Rugby would like to thank its cornerstone sponsor, EMCS Caribbean Ltd as well as DLT Solutions Ltd, Carey Olsen BVI and Walkers BVI, who made the tour possible.

BVI Rugby men’s and youth train at the AO Shirley Sports Ground at 6.30pm on Wednesdays and all newcomers are welcome, no matter your level of experience of rugby. 

Summary

Both sides started slowly and after an absence of 15s rugby were weighing each other up in the early stages, with D.R. making a few breaks. The BVI side defence stood strong thanks to solid tackles made by Elmar Bosman, Gethin Jones and the whole forward pack, keeping the tourists in the game. The game was filled with running, expansive rugby but the hard and dry pitch was starting to take its toll on both sides.

The D.R. XV continued to put pressure on the BVI defence and following a number of strong tackles by the BVI led by Vivieon Harry in defence, the D.R. side found a space and were able to break the BVI line, showing a ruthless efficiency with the ball to score the first try of the game adding the conversion.

The BVI side reset with BVI Captain Elmar Bosman leading by example and being ably supported by Vice Captain Rory Thornton. The BVI improved their ball retention resulting in a number of penalties being awarded to the team. The BVI team made the most of their field position scoring a much needed try to bring BVI into the points. Conversion missed, 7-5. BVI u19 captain, Roequan Hemerding continued to steer the BVI forwards around the pitch as Andrae Adams and Will Adamson were putting pressure on the D.R. attackers.

The BVI gained confidence from the try, however a handling error in their own half gave the D.R. some good attacking field position. DR capitalised scoring another try, increasing the lead to 12-5 As earlier in the game, the BVI side rose to the challenge and turned the disappointment of conceding points in to motivation. Rory Thornton spotted a gap in the D.R. defensive line, slicing through the front line defence. The fullback partially halted Thornton’s progress before he made an offload to an onrushing Kenrick “Jimmy” Peña to dot down near the posts bringing BVI back to 12-10.

The BVI looked to their experienced players as the game approached the last 25 minutes with Stuart Cullen, Burt Woodley and Terry Humphrey shouldering a huge workload. Following good pressure, DR entered the final third with a converted try, increasing their lead to what looked like an unassailable 19-10 lead. But the BVI had different ideas. Noel Maxwell, who had made a number of strong runs throughout the game found himself in some space down the right wing, he got tackled near the D.R. line before offloading to Luke Saltonstall running in support. Saltonstall appeared to have overrun the ball but after juggling it three time was able to gather the ball and haul himself over the line under the pressure of 3 D.R. defenders. Rory Thornton added the conversion. The combination of the Maxwell break, Saltonstall handling skills and pinpoint accuracy from the boot of Thornton appeared to give the BVI side the belief they needed.

BVI had so far squandered restarts after scoring and knew the importance of regathering the ball with the clock against them. Saltonstall gathered the high ball before stepping the approaching defender. Suddenly in space, the D.R. defence looked in disarray and Saltonstall drew and passed to Jimmy Peña who from 65 metres out showed his pace and agility to outrun three defenders before stepping the full back to score. Thornton adding the extras to put the BVI ahead for the first time in the game, 19-24.

The D.R. side continued to run hard at the BVI defence in what was becoming a war of attrition. Eugene Maduro looked to turn the tide with a number of turnovers won. D’Von Jones held up a ball over the line to deny D.R. a try at a telling moment before the solid defensive work of Rob Lind earned the BVI side a penalty and a chance to clear their lines. The game entered the final 10 minutes which were frantic with both sides playing for the win. The BVI side worked fantastically as a unit, keeping their shape and keeping calm under pressure. Thornton again relieved the pressure with a long kick downfield before making the tackle on the D.R. full back. Jayden Williams, one of a number of team members on debut, tackled the D.R. ball carrier in the D.R. 22, forcing a knock on and a scrum to BVI. The BVI looked to force one final score but instead were rewarded with a penalty. Captain Bosman tapped the ball from the penalty and ran head first for the line, burrowing over to give the BVI the score that gave them the breathing room they so desperately need. Thornton added the extras from out wide to push the score out to 19-31. 

There was still 5 minutes on the clock and the D.R. side were not ready to give up. They pressured the BVI defence which showed no interest in letting the resolve be breached. D.R. were awarded a scrum in the BVI 22 following a knock on. The front row of Roan Thornton, Tom Chapman and Jeovan Thompson miraculously won the ball against the feed and the BVI scrum advanced allowing Lind to kick the ball out in the final play. The referee blew for full time and the BVI side celebrated after their long wait since their last 15 a side game.

The tour was a huge success with a number of BVI players making their 15 a side debut as well as a number of experienced players being coaxed out of semi-retirement. Special thanks must go to the Asociación de Rugby Santo Domingo Provincia – RD for the hospitality before and during the tour.

Tries: Elmar Bosman (2), Kenrick Elton Peña (2), Luke Saltonstall

Cons: Rory Thornton (3)

Man of the match: Luke Saltonstall

BVI Barbarians:

Rory Thornton, Elmar Bosman (capt), Vivieon Harry, Gethin Jones, Eugene Maduro, Luke Saltonstall, Andrae Adams, Tom Chapman, Kenrick Elton Peña, Roan Thornton, Jeovan Thompson, Noel Maxwell, Will Adamson, Rob Lind, Jayden Williams, Roequan Hemerding, Stuart Cullen, D’Von Jones, Burt Woodley, Terry Humphrey.

Coach: Stuart Fee