Harvard Club rugby team successfully defended their Trinidad and Tobago Rugby Football Union (TTRFU) national men's Sevens rugby title on Saturday at the Queens Park Savannah when they defeated Caribs Rugby Club 22-nil in the national championship final.
The Tragarete Road based team led by their captain, Claudius Butts—a Guyana and West Indies player—and outstanding play by former T&T Sevens captain Wayne Kelly, played unbeaten on their way to the championship decider against Caribs. Rainbow Sport and Cultural Club claimed the bronze medal with Stag Trinidad Northern finishing in fourth place.
The national Sevens win is Harvard's sixth title for the year. They have already claimed the TTRFU Sir Solomon Hochoy Ruggerama trophy, Toyota national 15-a-side championship division, Marcus Minshall knockout Cup, second division league and Police Sevens.
This Saturday, Harvard will defend their Harvard Club Sevens festival championship before heading to Tobago to take on foreign teams from UK, Venezuela, USA, Caribbean and Martinique in the Carib International Invitational Sevens at the Bon Accord Recreation ground from December 8-9.
Despite the success however, Harvard head coach Larry Mendez said while he was happy with the performances of the club's two teams that played in the TTRFU national Sevens championship, there were errors he will be working to correct in the coming weeks.
"Our first team won. While the second team finished sixth. The goal was for both teams to meet in the final. There is intense competition among the players for selection to the first team. It's not easy for the guys so I must congratulate them on their discipline, camaraderie and team spirit. There is a hunger and drive within the Harvard rugby players for success.
"I enjoy coaching and working with them. They have bought into my coaching philosophy and we share a common goal: to be the best that we can be. I am really proud of my players." said Mendez.
Source: www.trinidadexpress.com