A quartet of Bermuda's rugby players are showcasing their skills on the international stage, representing the West Indies at the TROPICAL 7s tournament currently underway in Florida.
Najée Pitt-Clarke and Corrie Cross have been selected for the West Indies Women's team, while Hadleigh Tucker and Jahniko Francis are donning the colours for the West Indies Men's side in the highly competitive sevens tournament.
The West Indies Men got their campaign off to a positive start with a 28-14 victory over Saratoga Jockeys in their opening match. Tries were scored by Lionel Holder, Tryrese Precod, and the Bermudian duo of Hadleigh Tucker and Jahniko Francis. Tucker also demonstrated his kicking prowess, successfully converting all four tries.
The West Indies Women also experienced a thrilling start to their tournament, securing a nail-biting 22-17 victory over NAV in their opening fixture, with a decisive try in the final play of the game sealing the win. Their momentum continued into their second match as they recorded a dominant 32-7 victory over Phoenix Rugby. However, their final match of Day One saw them fall to a 20-12 defeat against MacDowell Rugby.
Unfortunately, the West Indies Men faced tougher opposition in their subsequent matches. Their second game saw them lose 26-12 to the Black Goats, and they concluded their Day One fixtures with a 34-12 defeat against Crewmen Rugby.
Despite the mixed results on the opening day, the involvement of these talented Bermudian players on the West Indies teams highlights the growing strength and depth of rugby in Bermuda. Pitt-Clarke, Cross, Tucker, and Francis will be looking to draw on their skills and experience as the TROPICAL 7s tournament progresses. The competition provides a valuable opportunity for these players to test themselves against international opposition and further develop their game.
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