Mexico win North American 10s
North America is the last remaining region not to have an official women’s XVs championship – but they do have a 10s tournament, with Mexico emerging as winners yesterda
Published by John Birch, July 21st, 2019
4 minute read
Mexico were crowned 2019 Rugby Americas North Women’s 10s Tournament Champions after defeating Jamaica in the cup final on Saturday afternoon at Bellevue Plantation Polo Club in Barbados, making them the third winner in the four years the tournament has been running afterUSA South in 2018and2016andTrinidad in 2017.
The tournament is played over two days – alongside the regions U19 championship – and to a similar timetable as most sevens tournaments, with pool games in the first day and playoffs on the second.
Eight teams took part this year – Curaçao, Trinidad & Tobago, St Lucia and USA South were drawn in Pool A and Barbados, Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Mexico in Pool B. in kicked off on the second field with each of the eight teams playing three matches in their pool.
USA South was the only team to finish the opening day (Friday) with a perfect 3–0 record to top pool A. In pool B, Mexico and Jamaica both won their two opening matches before a hugely exciting contest between the two nations ended in a 12 – 12 draw.
Day two kicked off with four quarter final matches, with USA South, Mexico, Saint Lucia and Jamaica advancing to the final four, while Curaçao, Dominican Republic, Trinidad & Tobago and Barbados dropped down to the plate competition.
The first semi-final proved to be one of the most exciting matches of the tournament. Mexico built up a 17-point lead heading into half time, however two unconverted tries from USA South pulled the Americans within one converted try. However, Mexico would be victorious as their defensive wall stood tall. The loss means that for the first time in the history of the tournament, USA South would not compete be in the final.
In the second semi-final Jamaica’s pace proved too much for Saint Lucia as they walked into the final with a 19 – 0 win.
In the gold medal match, Jamaica threw everything they could at Mexico but it wasn’t enough as they failed to break through the defence. Mexico played a brilliant 20 minute match and were resulted with a 22 – 0 championship victory.
USA South closed out the competition by winning the bronze medal, while Dominican Republic – who were playing in their first 10s tournament – picked up 5th place and Barbados won the 7th place final. Also playing in their first international 10s tournament, Curaçao lost all six of their matches, but scored a highlight reel 70m try in their final game to cap off their efforts.
Results
Pool A:USA South 17-10 St Lucia; Trinidad & Tobago 41-0 Curaçao; USA South 62-0 Curaçao; Trinidad & Tobago 5-17 St Lucia; USA South 45-0 Trinidad & Tobago; St Lucia 47-0 Curaçao
Pool B:Jamaica 29-0 Dominican Republic; Mexico 38-5 Barbados; Jamaica 36-7 Barbados; Mexico 5-0 Dominican Republic; Jamaica 12-12 Mexico; Dominican Republic 34-0 Barbados
Quarter-finals:USA South 31-5 Barbados; Mexico 34-0 Trinidad & Tobago; St Lucia 20-12 Domincan Republic; Jamaica 36-0 Curaçao
Plate semi-finals:Barbados 0-5 Trinidad & Tobago; Dominican Republic 27-0 Curaçao
Semi-finals:USA South 10-17 Mexico; St Lucia 0-19 Jamaica
7thplace:Barbados 27-5 Curaçao
Plate final (5thplace):Trinidad & Tobago 0-5 Dominican Republic
3rdplace:USA South 24-0 St Lucia
Final:Mexico 22-0 Jamaica