The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

After a slow start to its 2012 season, the Bahamas Rugby Football Union (BRFU) ended its league play with a flurry, setting the stage for an eagerly anticipated playoff round.

Cuckoos RFC finished up the action with their second consecutive win over rival club Baillou at the Winton rugby pitch on Saturday. They took the league final 29-26 over Baillou to finish the season undefeated.

In the previous Bahamas Cup meeting between the two, Cuckoos won another nail-biter, 26-24, in a thrilling finish.

The Bahamas Cup playoffs is all set to start this weekend with the top seeded Cuckoos against the Buccaneers and Freeport, hosting in the nation's second city, taking on Baillou.

Rivalry

BRFU director Elystan Miles said the rivalry between the two teams reinvigorated the league and set the stage for an exciting finish to the Cup.

"Cuckoos and Baillou have been the top teams all year but the way Cuckoos have played all year going undefeated throughout, most people have them pegged as the favourites. They have an experienced squad but also got a good injection of youth and people around the league were high on them, especially with the showings the last two weeks," he said.

"The last two weekends for us really saved the season in terms of attendance and excitement for the fans. We had a greater turnout the last two weeks at the pitch because people came out and were excited about seeing Rugby played at a high level with a couple of close games. At this point, the fans know what to expect with these squads coming out and playing with the Bahamas Cup on the line, so we all look forward to the next two weeks."

Teams

In earlier meetings between the teams back in February, Cuckoos defeated Buccaneers 17-12 while Baillou defeated Freeport 34-29. Last season in the Bahamas Cup finale, Baillou saved arguably their best game of the year for the season finale when they clinched the title with a 45-26 win over Freeport.