St Lucia hosted the Rugby Club Diamante of Martinique (RCDM) over the weekend and played a friendly 12-a-side match on Saturday at the Corinth Playing Field. It was the first time that RCDM visited St Lucia even though several other French clubs have played here in the past such as Golden Star and Good Luck.
Diamante drew first blood in the match with an unconverted try (five points). St Lucia quickly retaliated by scoring a try of its own which was converted (seven points), to establish a two points lead at the end of the first quarter. The French side then quickly scored a further 14 points in the second quarter to take the lead to 19 – 7 at half time.
Play continued in its usual robust, furious pace in the third quarter with the two teams going at it tit for tat. Diamante scored a try in the quarter which was not converted, while St Lucia scored a try of its own which was converted. Hence the quarter ended 24 – 14 in favour of the Rugby Club Diamante (Martinique).
St Lucia came out fast and furious in the final quarter. They scored two quick tries which were converted to take the lead for the second time in the match by 28 points to 24.
This lead was maintained until the last two minutes of the game. Everyone thought that St Lucia had won the match. However, in the dying minutes of the game, Diamante managed to pull a try back due to a lapse in concentration in the St Lucia defence. The visitors scored a try far out on the right wing to take the score to 29 – 28. This score remained until the end to give Diamante a one point victory over St Lucia.
It was gut retching for the local lads. They saw victory snatched from their grasp in the final moments of the game to continue their dismal record in matches played. However, there is no time for self pity since the team will be playing in the St Lucia International Carnival 10’s tournament scheduled for July 16, 2011. Several teams from around the region will be in attendance such as Guyana, Trinidad, St Vincent and Barbados. Both men and women will be competing in this competition, which promises to be very exciting and captivating. Everyone is invited to attend to support the local male and female rugby players.
Members of the St Lucia team were: Wedrel “Tommy” St Clair, Arthur Joseph, Imran William, Akim Herbert, Cyril Marius, Garner Felician, Colvis Samuels, Roger Butcher, Jerry Charles, Lenford Eugene, Bertrand Jean, Uranus ‘Mal’ Denis, Desmond Gilbert, Lyndel Norville and Mario Chicot. The referee for the match was Shaun Alcindor.
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