Bermuda's rugby representatives concluded their participation at the TROPICAL 7s tournament in Florida, with the West Indies Women's team, featuring Najée Pitt-Clarke and Corrie Cross, making a strong run to the Women’s Elite Championship Final, while the Men's team, including Hadleigh Tucker and Jahniko Francis, were unable to progress beyond the Group Stage.
The West Indies Men's team began the final day of the tournament on a positive note, securing a comfortable 33-12 victory over Boston Rugby Select. However, they faced stiffer competition in their subsequent matches, falling narrowly to the Great Danes Select 21-19 before concluding their group fixtures with a 17-10 loss to the Pirates 7’s. Despite the opening win, these defeats meant the Men's team did not advance to the knockout stages of the competition.
The West Indies Women's team, with Pitt-Clarke and Cross playing key roles, enjoyed a more successful run. They demonstrated their quality by defeating the Chicago Lions in their Quarter-Final Play-off. This victory propelled them into the Semi-Final, where they continued their impressive form with a dominant 17-5 win over Phoenix Rugby, securing their place in the Women’s Elite Championship Final.
In the final showdown, the West Indies Women faced a tough challenge against the defending champions, MacDowell Rugby. In a closely fought contest, the West Indies team ultimately fell to a 26-19 defeat. Despite the loss in the final, their strong performance throughout the tournament, reaching the championship match, is a testament to their talent and teamwork.
The TROPICAL 7s tournament provided valuable international experience for the Bermudian players representing the West Indies. While the Men's team will be disappointed not to have progressed further, the Women's team's impressive journey to the final highlights the growing strength of rugby within the Caribbean region. The contributions of Pitt-Clarke, Cross, Tucker, and Francis will undoubtedly serve as inspiration for aspiring rugby players in Bermuda.
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