Under-19 ruggermen down Martinique

A try in the 61st minute by Abiel Gilkes gave the Trinidad and Tobago National Under-19 rugby team a 15-5 win at the end of a physical encounter against Martinique at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar on Saturday.

TT, currently in preparation for the 2003 West Indies Rugby Union (WIRU) Under-19 Championship, took an early 5-0 lead courtesy an 11th minute Felician Guerra try and a 27th minute interception and subsequent try from half to touch line by Stephan Charles to lead 10-0 at the half. But the Martiniquans replied seven minutes after the resumption to reduce the margin to 10-5 but stout defence from both teams allowed no change in the score to the final whistle. After the match, TT manager Curtis Nero said the target is to qualify for the 2004 Under-19 World Rugby Championship which will be held in South Africa. To do this TT must first win the West Indies Championship. “The match allowed us to assess our strengths and weakness,” said Nero. The WIRU Championship will be held here in August.