USA South hold off Guyana to claim RAN 15’s title

Jul 30, 2017 Sports, http://www.kaieteurnewsonline....claim-ran-15s-title/

The United States of America South withstood the challenges of a determined Guyana team to win the final of the RAN tournament 23-19 yesterday at the National Park.
Played on a soggy ground in front of a colourful crowd, USA South opened their account in the 17th minute when Zach Miller scored a penalty. Hein Erasmus stretched the visitors advantage10 minutes later with the first try of the contest as they took an 8-0 lead. USA South strategised well in the first half and increased their lead further minutes before the interval as flanker Wayne Chermerly ran some 30 meters down the left for another try.
Trailing 13-0 at half time, Guyana looked more aggressive in the second half, however their opponents extended their lead when Miller anchored his second penalty 20 minutes into the second half leaving the score 16-0.
Urged on by their vociferous fans, Guyana fought back well and Patrick King gave them much to cheer about when he scored a try from center field 10 minutes later.
Godfrey Broomes then made no mistake with the conversion as the host chalked up seven points. The Americans overlapped well and Jordan Gunderson and Miller put them further ahead in the 73rd minute (23-7) with a try and a conversion respectively.
However, the Guyanese didn’t give up and Osei McKenzie gave them hope with a try, leaving the score 23-12.
Guyana continued to improve as the game progressed, but Lancelot Adonis missed a conversion in the 77th minute before McKenzie got in another try in the 80th leaving the score at 23-17.
With time quickly running out, Godfrey Broomes closed the gap further with a conversion, but the visitors managed to hold on for the win.
(Zaheer Mohamed)