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Rugby schedule hit by Covid-19

Teachers’s Jahniko Francis (red shirt) is tackled in his team’s match against Mariners at the National Sports Centre North Field last month. (Photograph James O’Shaughnessy).

The global coronavirus pandemic took its toll on the Bermuda Rugby Football Union’s schedule last weekend.

The ladies fixtures featuring Mariners against Teachers and Police against Renegades at the National Sports Centre North Field on Sunday, were both postponed owing to Covid-19 related reasons.

“Because of Covid and low numbers the originally scheduled games didn’t happen and only one men’s 15s game took place between Teachers and Mariners,” Corrie Cross, the association’s spokesperson, told The Royal Gazette.

If all goes accordingly, ladies rugby could resume as early as this weekend.

“There will be a women’s friendly game next weekend,” Cross added.

Meanwhile, Mariners thrashed Teachers 43-7 in the only game held last Sunday.

Rory O’Kelly-Lynch led Mariners’ charge with two tries, Scott Clarke, Roan Brinkley, Paddy, Thomas Healy, Jamie Baum and Tom Foster chipped in with one apiece, while David Lyn kicked three conversions.

Tashkent DeSilva scored Teachers’ sole try, while Hadleigh Tucker kicked their conversion.

Rugby wasn’t the only sport impacted by Covid last weekend.

The Driving Horse and Pony Club of Bermuda was forced to postpone harness racing at the National Equestrian Centre on Sunday because of a low turnout of ponies brought on by the latest wave of Covid-19 cases on island.

The Bermuda Football Association also postponed some Premier Division matches because of positive Covid-19 cases within three teams.

A spike in positive Covid-19 results led to a government shut down of all sporting events last September after a cricketer tested positive.

Local sport was then allowed to resume when Stage 4b of the government’s Return to Play guidance came into effect over a month later in late October.

Covid-19 guidelines for sport have since been revised in an attempt to further ensure the public’s safety throughout the pandemic.

There are 1,953 active case of the virus on island with 13 people in hospital, two of them in intensive care.

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Published January 20, 2022 at 7:48 am (Updated January 20, 2022 at 7:48 am)

Rugby schedule hit by Covid-19

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