Braden Chalwell led his team Cedar "A" to a 3-2 victory over Francis Lettsome School in the BVI Rugby Association's Primary School Championship. Photo: Charlie Jackson/VINO

The victoriuos Cedar team celebrate with the Trophy in what was Adam Cole's last game in charge of the side "Sad to leaving, but what a way to go" commented Cole. Photo: Charlie Jackson/VINO

The day was a celebration of Rugby, played for the most part in high spirits, with great excitement and no little skill. Photo: Charlie Jackson/VINO

The final was an epic see sawing encounter played between two evenly matched sides intent on playing fast attacking rugby.

First blood went to Francis Lettsome with Raschief Bradshaw going over to score on the far side following a period of succession which took the team in yellow from one side of the pitch to the other. However, less than two minutes later candidate for Tournament MVP, Braden Chalwell drove over to equalize having evaded two desperate tackles and timing his dive perfectly.

There were no further scores in the first half, but almost immediately after the break and before the teams had settled, Bradshaw burst down the middle to restore the lead for Francis Lettsome.

However, again within seconds of conceding Cedar regrouped and it was that man Chalwell again on hand to level the scores. There was no stopping Chalwell, who began to boss the game from the centre and it was he who started and finished the match winning move in extra time that secured his team the Championship.

“A great game, the opposition was vastly improved and it went down to sudden death!” commented Coach Adam Cole. “Coming into the final Braden, stood up, played as a captain and scored all three. We showed a lot of teamwork and there were some scintillating passages of play when the ball moved from player to player and side to side; Chalwell was able to exploit the spaces they created.”

Cole also added that, “I’m very sad to be leaving, but good to go on such a high note. The team played really well.”

Cedar had to overcome their own “B” team 3-2 after extra time, to reach the final with Faith Amory scoring the decisive third try. She timed her run to perfection down the left wing and was superbly fed by Chalwell to score.

Francis Lettsome had over powered Enis Adams 6-0 in the other semi, thanks to tries from Bradshaw (2), Deondre Mitchum (3) and Angenik Freeman.

The day was well supported by Krys Global, who were celebrating their 5th Anniversary and had decided to close the office to lend support to the Youth Development Programme so well organised by Coach Sam Solomon and the Association.

They provided man power, refreshments and give a ways to make the day even more special for the Youths and as Charlotte Caulfield explained, “we have a year-long sponsorship arrangement and today was the ideal way to strengthen that relationship. As part of our 5 year celebrations we are taking part in community based activities across the Region and here in the BVI we chose the Primary School Rugby Tournament. It’s been a fantastic day and the excitement shown by the youths is phenomenal.”

In earlier Group A matches, Francis Lettsome beat Enis Adams 3-0, Cedar “A” beat St Georges 3-0, Francis Lettsome beat St Georges 1-0, Cedar “A” beat Enis Adams 3-1, Francis Lettsome beat Cedar “A” 1-0 and Enis Adams won 2-0 against St Georges.

In Group B, Cedar “B” beat Isabella Morris 7-0, Ivan Dawson beat Leonora Delville 2-1, Ebenezer Thomas lost 6-0 to Cedar “B”, Ivan Dawson beat Isabella Morris 3-0, Cedar “B” won 4-3 against Ivan Dawson and 3-1 against Leonora Delville and Ivan Dawson and Ebenezer Thomas drew 3-3.