Bermuda’s rugby sevens team capped off their Rugby Americas North tournament campaign in Trinidad yesterday by clinching the Plate final with a 10-5 victory over Cayman Islands, led by their former coach Jamie Barnwell.

On a rain-soaked pitch battered over three days of competition, tries from Jahniko Francis and Hadleigh Tucker secured fifth place for Bermuda in the eight-team tournament, ending on a high after a challenging start.

The competition began slowly for Bermuda, who lost 19-7 to Barbados on Friday before falling 38-0 to eventual champions Canada and 12-7 in a tight match against Guyana on Saturday.

Sunday’s quarter-final brought further disappointment, as a 14-0 defeat to Mexico consigned Bermuda to the Plate competition. With the threat of relegation to Tier Two looming, Bermuda rallied to secure their first win of the tournament, a 19-10 victory over Barbados — avenging their opening-day loss and ensuring their Tier One status.

The team carried their momentum into the Plate final, where they overcame Cayman Islands in a closely contested match, leaving the competition on a triumphant note.