For the first time ever Bermuda has fielded an entirely Bermudian girl’s rugby team. They were given the opportunity to participate in the Commonwealth Youth Games hosted by the Bahamas. As a top-class, multi-sport event with teams from all around the world; this sort of opportunity doesn't come around very often. We hope that the experience will be just the beginning of a well-established girl’s rugby program in Bermuda which will build on the progress made in recent years by the senior women’s rugby 7s team.
The Bermuda girls faced two of the top women’s 7s programs in the world and a very ambitious Welsh side on day 1 of the competition. Opening the girl’s competition in the first game of the day Bermuda faced tournament favourites Australia and finished the day against Canada, a regular top side on the women’s world series 7s circuit and Olympic Bronze medalists. The Bermuda girls showed significant improvements in each game and although the scoreboard remained lopsided there was a great effort by all players throughout the matches.
Day 2 of the tournament was filled with highlights for the Bermuda team. Against Fiji, Inshan-nae Smith scored the first International Try by a Bermudian Girl’s Rugby team. It was met with resounding support from the team bench, as well as the team tents from the other countries participating in the tournament. The improvement in the level of play shown by the girls was notable, stringing together several phases of play and completing more tackles. Unfortunately Lysmeiri Santana suffered a concussion during the game and would not be available for the remainder of the competition.
As one of the most experienced players, her leadership and organization on the pitch was sorely missed in the following games. In the second game of the day Bermuda faced local rivals Trinidad and Tobago (TNT) and impressed with a much tighter score line. In the second half Bermuda held TNT to only one try and spent much of the half camped inside the TNT half. Israel Bennett, Haley Place, Corrie Cross and Cerise Woodley showed strong running in attack.
In the 5th v 6th game on the morning of day 3 Bermuda were looking to better their previous performance against TNT. Unfortunately the score line did not reflect the improvements in the quality of play displayed by the Bermudian team. Special mention for outstanding play must be made for Keonte White who shone in her tackling and ball carrying. Corrie Cross, captain, led the team with poise and confidence both on and off the pitch.
Team
1 Lysmeiri Santana
2 Nya Heyliger
3 Bella Greene
4 Keonte White
5 Litalia Randel Odume
6 Cerise Woodley
7 Inshan-nae Smith
8 Kadaisha Fox
9 Israel Bennett
10 Diamond Jordan-DeSilva
11 Corrie Cross
12 Haley Place
Coaches
Erica McArthur
Sara Formiglio
Physio
Tyka Edness
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