Latest update April 24th, 2024 12:59 AM
Dec 05, 2014 Sports
Six-time NACRA Sevens champions Guyana stormed back from a 21-7 first half deficit to
dethrone defending title holders and host Mexico 33-28 to capture their seventh trophy in the shorter format yesterday in Mexico.
It was a gut wrenching loss for the Mexicans, but a victory for the Guyanese that rightfully underscored their prowess in the Sevens format in the Region. The win by the Guyanese also add to their 15’s format championship title which they won earlier this year and gives them the opportunity to return to playing on the international stage such as the Hong Kong Sevens.
According to reports, former track star Patrick King, known for his blinding speed, played a key role in the Guyanese victory. King, a member of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) team as a winger and who was appearing in his first ever NACRA Championship burst over the tryline four times to crown an incredible performance, while fellow teammate from the Army Avery Corbin added the other.
Captain Ryan Gonsalves missed a conversion, but scored two, while Ronald Mayers and Theodore Henry also made conversions. It was sweet revenge for Guyana who lost to Mexico by one point in the 2012 final and did not attend last year’s championship.
King picked for his speed and deemed the surprise package showed his importance and the selectors’ wisdom as he rose to the challenge and obliterated the Mexicans defence with his velocity. The Mexicans had romped
to a sizeable lead very early in the game, before King went over the backline for a try which was converted by Henry as Guyana trailed 7-21 at the break.
Upon the resumption of the second half, King collected a pass from Ronald Mayers and burst down the Mexicans left wing, leaving defenders in his wake. Gonsalves made good of the conversation, but then a breakdown in communication on defence saw the home side scoring and pushing the scores to 28-14.
Corbin then bulldozed his way down the middle and scored, Gonsalves made good on the conversion as the former champs stayed in contention, trailing 21-28. King then put on the after burners to end over the backline, but Gonsalves missed the conversion as Guyana was kept behind 26-28.
With the clock running down, Richard Staglon came up big in defence after the Mexicans were able to slip through Mayers and Corbin at the back. Staglon’s defensive heroics paid off, thanks to King’s sublime speed and agility along with his ability to evade the tough Mexican defenders; pushing Guyana to their first lead of the game (28–31).
Gonsalves kick sealed the game at 33–28 in favour of the South Americans who had missed the same tournament last year due to lack of financing. The Guyanese who played unbeaten throughout the tournament is expected to return home today at 14:00hrs.
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