The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas’ bid to qualify for Rugby 7s, played at the world’s biggest stage, ended yesterday when the team failed to advance among regional competition.

The Bahamas finished in 8th place at the regional qualifier for the 2013 Rugby World Cup Sevens Finals, held at Twin Elms Rugby Park in Ottawa, Canada.

In their last match, the Bahamas fell 29-0 to Barbados in the final placement game of the knockout tournament to finish 8th overall among the 11-team field.

A series of unforced errors saw the Bahamas fall behind early, with consecutive turnovers near their endzone.

Barbados easily converted for their first two tries and a 10-0 lead at the half.

On day one, the 11 teams play round robin pool matches with the top two teams from Pool A and the top three teams from Pools B and C moving into an eight team knockout tournament on day 2, with the bottom team in each pool playing in a separate round robin competition for the minor places.

The two finalists on day two advanced through to the RWC 2013 finals in Moscow.

The Bahamas was placed in Pool B with Canada, Bermuda and Mexico.

Against Mexico in their opening match, the Bahamas lost in a shutout 14-0 and followed with a 33-5 loss to tournament favourite Canada.

In their final match of day one, the Bahamas defeated Bermuda 17-12 to advance to the eight team knockout round on day two.

In the Cup quarterfinals, a 47-0 loss to the USA relegated the Bahamas to the plate semifinal, where they lost to Guyana, 26-10.

Canada went on to defeat the USA in the Cup Final and claim the NACRA 7s Championship, 26-19.

Both teams qualified for the 2013 7s World Cup in Moscow.

NACRA 7s ChampionshipMenFinal

USA 26-19 Canada

3rd Place

Mexico 17-12 Jamaica

Plate Final

Guyana 27-0 Trinidad & Tobago

7th Place: Barbados 29-0 Bahamas

Cup Semifinals

USA 33-7 Mexico

Canada 31-0 Jamaica

Plate Semifinals

Guyana 26-10 Bahamas

Trinidad & Tobago 19-14 Barbados

Cup Quarterfinals

USA 47-0 Bahamas

Mexico 17-14 Guyana

Canada 45-7 Barbados

Jamaica 19-5 Trinidad & Tobago

Consolation

Bermuda 29-0 St. Vincent & The Grenadines

August 25NACRA 7s ChampionshipMenRound 1

Canada 48-0 Bermuda

Mexico 14-0 Bahamas

Guyana 10-0 Trinidad & Tobago

Barbados 19-12 Cayman Islands

Round 2

USA 33-0 Jamaica

Canada 33-5 Bahamas

Mexico 19-0 Bermuda

Barbados 19-12 Guyana

Trinidad & Tobago 24-21 Cayman Islands

Round 3

USA 64-0 St Vincent & The Grenadines

Canada 43-0 Mexico

Bahamas 17-12 Bermuda

Guyana 15-12 Cayman Islands

Jamaica 50-5 St Vincent & The Granadines