Caribs clinch Bruno Browne Cup

CARIBS held off a determined challenge from Trinidad Northern to dethrone the 2003 champs, and lift the Bruno Browne Cup, at the President’s Ground, St Ann’s on Saturday. In the process, Caribs also emerged as the 2004 Trinidad and Tobago Rugby Football Union (TTRFU) Championship Division. In front of a large turnout of fans, Caribs took a first minute advantage courtesy Kurt Quashie, which was converted by Brent Barry for a 7-0 scoreline. While veteran Mikey Browner responded with a penalty, Barry added two of his own push the lead to 13-3. There was more drama to follow as Northerns fought back to level the scores.

After a penalty by Browner reduced the deficit to 13-6, Kirt Collier made a try, which was converted by Browner. Caribs went into the halftime interval with a 16-13 edge courtesy of a Barry penalty before Browner levelled the scores at 16-16. That was the last piece of success for Northerns as Phil O’Sullivan had an uncontested try in the 52nd while Dale Trotman and Barry notched tries in the 71st and 78th (Barry had a conversion in the 71st but missed in the 78th). Caribs added two trophies to their collection on Saturday, with their reserve team defeating Northern’s second XI 15-7 for the Raffe Hosein Cup. And Caribs’ women team earned a walkover victory over 2003 winners Northerns for the CANO Cup.