The Grant Thornton Cayman Under-18 boys’ team proved to be formidable contenders at the Tropical 7’s tournament in Tampa, Florida – a competition they haven’t attended in six years.
Although the Cayman team fell short of claiming the ultimate prize, they left an indelible impression on the tournament, earning several wins throughout one of the world’s leading youth rugby events, which featured over 200 teams.
In their first of six thrilling matches, Cayman matched up against TOA Rugby, ultimately losing 37-12 to TOA, the team which went on to win the tournament.
Cayman then narrowly lost 10-5 against St. Andrews, before capturing their first victory at the event against MacDowell Rugby at 14-7, marking a pivotal moment in their tournament run.
Finishing third in their group, Cayman then advanced to the third-place pool, where they excelled. With dominant performances, they demonstrated their prowess against Loudoun Rugby with a 31-7 win.
The second-day rematch with MacDowell Rugby turned into a remarkable showdown, with Cayman earning a decisive 19-0 victory. In their final game against Alaska, the Cayman U18’s claimed a 27-14 win.
“The team’s hard-fought… victory was a testament to their relentless determination and unwavering teamwork,” Coach Matt McCabe said after the game against Alaska.
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Way to go lads!