HARVARD Sports Club retained their Harvard Club Men's Open Rugby Sevens Festival title with a 21-5 victory over Caribs RFC in the final at the St Mary's Ground, St Clair on Sunday.

It was the seventh title for the club this season, which includes the three major Trinidad and Tobago Rugby Football Union (TTRFU) trophies, the Marcus Minshall Knock-out, the Toyota Championship Division and the National Sevens championship.

Keston Earle opened the scoring and Ryan Hinckson converted to give the hosts a 7-0 lead. Caribs cut the deficit with an unconverted try. At the break, Harvard led 7-5 .

On the resumption, Harvard captain Claudius Butts' try and Hinckson's second conversion made the score 14-5. A Vallon Adams try and another Hinckson conversion then gave the champions an unassailable 21-5 advantage.

Commenting on his club's great success this season, head coach Larry Mendez said it was a great accomplishment.

"Achieving seven titles created club history. I am very proud of the players ," said Mendez.

Royalians also retained their women's title as they defeated Police in their three matches.

The Men's Plate final was won by Southern Exile, with Police second. The Under-17 title went to Trinidad Northern RFC, while Southern Exile took the U-14 title.

Harvard Club rugby section chairman Anthony Loregnard said he was "happy" with how the event turned out.

"This is the second year of an expanded format across all age groups. We will be back next year, bigger and better. I am happy with the support given by all the clubs. A great time was had by everyone," added Loregnard.

He added: "People should not take what Harvard achieved this year in local rugby for granted. It did not come easy and was four decades in the making. The lads worked extremely hard. They remained focused for the entire season. Our teams are made up of players in their mid-twenties and younger, a demographic that some people find troublesome.

"They made history and deserve their success. Our head coach Larry Mendez did an excellent job. He was well supported by assistant coach and team manager Nicholas Martinez and forward coach Jerry Legall."

Results: Men's Open 1- Harvard Club, 2- Caribs RFC, 3- Trinidad Northerns RFC. MVP - Claudius Butts Plate 1- Southern Exile, 2- Police. Women's Open 1- Royalians, 2- Police. MVP - Dalia Jordan-Browne. U-17 1- Northern, 2- Royalians, 3- Southern Exile. MVP - Ross Navarro U-14 1- Southern Exile, 2- Harvard.

Source: www.trinidadexpress.com