Defending champions Guyana leave it late

Jul 28, 2010 Sports

– retains NACRA Trophy for third time

By Rawle Welch

Defending champions Guyana produced a heroic effort in the dying seconds of the final to stun Trinidad and Tobago 14-12 and retain their NACRA title for the third time yesterday, at the National Stadium.

The Guyanese, who had beaten their Trinidadian counterparts earlier in the day, found themselves trailing by a 12-0 margin at the half and the sprinkling of fans visibly silent, but the effervescent and pint-sized Nikita Davis brought the partisan outpouring alive when she wiggled her way through a tired looking Trinidadian defence to end over the try-line as Guyana trailed 5-12. Collette Hope made the conversion to pull Guyana within 5, down 7-12.

With time running out, Guyana’s Head Coach Alton Agard made two substitutions, bringing on Andrea Lashley and Carren Skeete for Latoya Hamilton and Davis and they immediately had an impact as Lashley drove downfield to lay a perfect pass to the speedy Hope, who dashed over the backline for a try which was subsequently converted by Lashley.

That gave Guyana the lead and the whistle sounded shortly after evoking much celebration in the camp and despair for the Trinidadians.

Earlier, T&T shocked the locals when Jenelliee Limbada rushed over the try-line after receiving a pinpoint pass to give them a 5-0 lead. The ensuing conversion made by Julianne Straker.

She, however, made amends when she evaded two tackles from the Guyanese defenders to finish over the backline.

The conversion was missed.

Speaking after the loss, T&T Coach Kitty Andrews-Nero disclosed that the result is indeed disappointing, but the Sevens segment is not their strongest; rather she believed that they have the strongest 15’s Programme in the Caribbean.

She said that the Girls performance augurs well for the future of the programme in T&T.

Asked about her thoughts on the tournament, Andrews-Nero said she felt it was “awe-inspiring” and she hoped that the powers that be will give them the respect that they deserve.

“The women in rugby work very hard and I feel that the tournament was of a high standard and we need to get that respect,” Andrews-Nero observed.

Today is a rest day, while the tournament resumes tomorrow with the start of the Men’s competition.

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Pompey satisfied with CAC 400m performance

– says focus is on Commonwealth Games

By Edison Jefford

Guyana’s national 400m record holder, Aliann Pompey said that she is satisfied with her Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games silver medal performance Monday night in Puerto Rico, stating that her focus is really on the Commonwealth Games in India.

Aliann Pompey

“My focus this year was reaching the final for the World Indoor (Championships) and medalling at Commonwealth Games,” Pompey told Kaieteur Sport yesterday via email as she prepared to compete in the 200m final, which was held last night.

The Olympian said that she did not alter her training for the Commonwealth Games to compete at CAC even though she was aware of the competition. Pompey said the performance without a serious regiment for the meet augurs well for Commonwealth.

“When I was asked to run at this meet I didn’t vary my training to accommodate it. I knew it (the race) would be competitive but I didn’t want to compromise my Commonwealth preparations,” Guyana’s leading international athlete indicated yesterday.

Commenting on the race itself, Pompey related that it was very “windy” on the backstretch and if she was not strong, she could not have finished powerfully. She said that, generally, there will be some things that she will learn from but she is satisfied.

“It was very windy on the backstretch. I am very strong so I bided my time and trusted my finish. There are aspects about the race I am pleased with and portions that I will learn from. For now I will take it for what it is and be satisfied,” the stalwart indicated.

When contacted, President of the Athletics Association of Guyana, Colin Boyce congratulated Pompey and informed that a similar message was dispatched to the athlete that keeps the athletic association and Guyana flag flying high on the international scene.

Boyce said that her performance is certainly good news ahead of the Commonwealth Games and went as far as labelling the athlete “Guyana’s Marilyn Ottey”. He indicated that her performance should serve as an inspiration for other athletes in and out of Guyana.