The Tribune

THE Bahamas Rugby Football Union’s season will culminate with a matchup to decide the 2018 Heineken Bahamas Cup.

Cuckoos will chase their third consecutive title when they face Baillou 3pm Saturday, April 21, at the Winton Rugby Pitch.

Baillou defeated Freeport RC 38-34 in the playoffs to advance to the title game.

In the first playoff round, they scored in the game’s waning moments to defeat Buccaneers RC 29-25.

Cuckoos delivered a dominant performance in the 2017 finale with a 35-12 win over the Buccaneers on Saturday to close out the season.

It was a role reversal from the 2016 playoffs when Cuckoos overcame an up and down season and ended the year with a pair of last-second wins to claim the coveted cup with a 13-10 win over the Bucs for the title.

In 2015, the Buccaneers defeated Freeport 18-7 to claim the cup.

Since 2012, Heineken and the BRFU partnered to rename the Annual Bahamas Rugby Cup as the Heineken Bahamas Rugby Cup, and the brewing company now also provides branding, marketing, and advertising support.

Cuckoos also captured the first two editions of the renamed event in 2012 and 2013, while Baillou took the cup in 2014.

The Heineken Bahamas Rugby Cup ran for several weeks of competition with three teams from New Providence (Baillou, Cuckoos and Buccaneers) and one from Freeport (Freeport Rugby Club).

“Bahamas Rugby is again extremely grateful to all our friends and supporters who have been with us through the season,” said BRFU executive Elystan Miles in a press release.

“We are particularly grateful to our sponsors and partners, too numerous to mention. However, Heineken has been the backbone to Bahamas Rugby for another year and deserve a specific expression of gratitude.”