Onions lift Four Nations title
On the final evening of the Four Nations Competition, very blustery conditions did not prevent rugby fans from being treated to two very entertaining rugby matches with the Bermuda Onions taking the title after a 50-15 win over the Bermuda English and the rest of the World beating Bermuda Celts 20-15.
With the English undefeated and the Onions coming off an emphatic win over the Rest, this game was to decide who would walk off with the Four Nation?s Trophy. And, what promised to be a hard hitting, fast-paced, entertaining game, did not disappoint.
Right from the start, both forward packs struggled to gain an advantage, while both back lines tested each other with darting runs and tactical kicks.
Richard Slater, Andy Trinder, Chris Naylor and Greg Garside played vital roles for the English as they matched the Onions every move and put pressure on their defence.
However, it was the Onions ageless winger, Heath Robinson, who broke the deadlock, finishing a fine display of handling down the left wing.
This was shortly followed by a Freedom Burrows score, set up after a powerful run by impressive young forward, James Bergle. Nathan Browne was next on the scoresheet finishing off another great move from the Onion backline.
The score was 15-0 before the English crossed the line through captain Greg Garside and, although the English forwards were beginning to out-work the Onions? forwards, it was the Onions who responded with Burrows? second try.
Slater was rewarded for his tireless work in the loose around the park with another score for the English before Mike Montgomery closed out the scoring for the half with a sneaky dive over the line down the blind side after a scrum five metres out from the English try line. The half time score stood at 25-10.
The second half began with the Onions beginning to show a bit of dominance in the line-outs as the English were showing their worth in the scrums and in the loose.
However, it was the Onions who were first to score after Mike Kane dragged two defenders over the try line to touch down. The English responded with a try from Will Aston but that was the last time that the they would cross the line.
In the end it was a tired English team that let the Onions run in four tries in the final 20 minutes of the game.
Ronan Kane side stepped through the English defence, then Nathan Browne notched his second of the match, and from the ensuing kick off, Jonathan Cassidy finished a move that began in the Onions? own 22 metres. Finally, with only seconds left on the clock, young Neville Zuill out-paced the defence from 40 metres out to touch down for the Onions.
With the score not indicative of the hard-fought match displayed between these two teams, the Onions lifted the Four Nations Cup and, in doing so, retained the Onions/Limeys trophy.
Despite both sides only being able to field 14 players, the game started off at a fairly brisk pace. The early exchanges were mainly dominated by the Rest with there backs, in particular Tim Goodyear, to the fore. In addition, Mick Williams occupying his usual stand off spot, kept the Celts pinned back in their own 22. This pressure would eventually result in a score for the Rest.
This seemed to wake up the Celts and after a good break down the left wing the ball was worked through the hands to Shane Coman, who made the try scoring pass to Chris Eaborn.
The Celts forwards enjoyed periods of domination in the first half, however, their backs failed to capitalise on the majority of possession with the back line for the Rest showing the way with some lovely ball-handling skills. The half closed at one try a piece with all to play for.
The second half was the same story.
Celt forward domination was nullified by flashes of power and pace from former National team winger, Warren Bundy earning him the second try for the Rest. The Rests? continued pressure resulted in a third try, this time by Hooker, Steve Baldock.
This double blow spurned the Celts forward onto greater efforts with Rod Forrest and Brian Desmond leading the way. A period of concerted Celts forward pressure lead to a five yard scrum from which Number 8, Stewart Thomson, drove over. This pressure was to continue as, following a series of forward drives, veteran Des Nash set up another try for Thomson; which levelled the scores at 15.
Unfortunately, the state of parity was short-lived. With time running out, Bundy, showing great determination, brushed past Desmond and Eaborn to score the winning try.
This week will see the commencement of league matches.
Tomorrow night at BAA field there will be a ten-a-side tournament for second team players. Each team will play three games in a round robin format. The first game begins at 6 p.m.
Sunday will see the first league games for the First Division. Police will take on Teachers at 2 p.m. in the President?s Cup, while Mariners play Renegades at 3.30 p.m. Both matches take place at the National Sports Centre?s Northern Field.