In one of the toughest Bahamas Cup games in many years Freeport held on to win 25 – 22 against a Cuckoo’s side which were well drilled and intent on keeping their winning start to the season.
With Cuckoo’s pack winning most of the scrums Freeport’s backs had to make do with limited ball and the forwards had to make up for the scrums with their loose play. The first half kicked off with Freeport playing extremely well for the first 20 minutes and the pressure soon paid off when Paul Blake went over the game line to put Freeport 5 – 0 up.
With several new players in their side Freeport continued the pressure and with a quick line out taken by George Walker (playing his last game for Freeport), Alex Jeavons somehow dodged two tackles and sprinted across the line.
Leading 10 – 0 Freeport started to lose the scrums and Cuckoo’s used their strength and kept the ball in the forwards soon scoring to cut the lead to 10 – 5. With Canadian Ron, Perkins Joseph and Jackelo Pierre causing havoc in open play Freeport’s backs soon looked in a class of their own with some slick moves and great tackling.
New boy Michael Watkins, Edwin Joseph and Robbie Butler proving a wall of defense a great run by Denny “the judge” Osias put Freeport 15 – 5 ahead at the half. The second half started with Freeport against the wind and Cuckoo’s piling on the pressure with their forwards and soon scored with a superb push over try to make the game 15 – 10.
With Dan Woodside covering acres of ground Cuckoo’s started to turn the screw and with injuries to both sides subs were coming on with regularity. With several kicks being missed by both parties the crowd grew nervous when Cuckoo’s scored again and the game was tied at 15 – 15. Marco Blacks, Andrew Bell and KC Charlton worked hard in the pack to get some ball for Freeport and off a scrum the lively Perkins Joseph stole the ball and scored to the delight of the crowd, 20 – 15 Freeport!!!!.
The next ten minutes proved very tough with some big hits and great tackles, however, with 10 minutes left both sides lost players with Brian Simms and Rob Speller being sinned binned for violent play! With the minutes ticking away and the subs of Ricardence Michel and BJ coming on for Freeport the scene was set for an epic finish.
With two minutes left Cuckoo’s scored when a kick from John Lane was charged down and Cuckoo’s amazingly made the kick to lead 22 – 20 and Freeport seemingly had let the game go. However in the last seconds and with a penalty to Freeport the Man of the Match John Lane made the decision of a lifetime and gave the ball to Canadian Ron who powered over the line to win the game 25 – 22!
After a number of weeks of finalizing registrations , scouting players and fine-tuning teams to achieve in order to obtain competitive teams, the Boys Intermediate Soccer League is set to start their games the first week of December. This Wednesday (November 26th ) see the four teams take the field for their final friendly fixture before the big kick off.
This season sees a few changes from recent seasons as the organizers adapt to the needs of their players and the programme. Technical Director Mark Hardy noted that the influx of skilful young players aged 11 and 12 from coach Brad and Waynes Under 11 programme , coupled with the emergence of a group of elite 16 and 17 year olds , has led to the I league now being mainly for boys aged 12 to 15 .
As a result the I league looks a lot younger, more ‘skill based’ and less physical than recent years. Coach Hardy joked that this caused him some problems in changing the normal XL shirts to small and mediums! He is confident that the new stars will be the younger ball players such as Aaron Levarity, Claudio Vietta and Liam Brown. In addition Coach Scott noted that there are a few new players to the league who are also expected to make an impact. these include Justin and Aldeir Kalil who have both settled in well to the programme having recently moved to the island.
The league will have 4 teams this year:
Oilers AC Millies GB Shipyard Wanderers Cable Stars
Once again a competitive season is expected and, at this stage, the teams are too well balanced to make a determination as to the eventual winners.
The Intermediate League is just one of the age groups which falls under the umbrella of the successful Dolly Madison Youth Soccer Academy held every Wednesday from 5pm at Freeport Rugby & Football club
Coach Brad continues to coach the younger boys aged 8,9 and 10 in the finer elements and basics of the game and hopes to provide some competitive games soon.
The older boys (16 and above) have now branched out as a separate group who train and play games separately and are looking forward to a return visit from Westminster Academy from Fort Lauderdale in January. The High School made a successful visit last Christmas playing 2 games against the Dolly Madison Academy’s youngsters in what was the latter’s first games together as a team. Once again being coached by Coach Michael DeSantos, the team has been bolstered by new additions to the programme who appear to have added some extra quality such as Travis Taylor, Jason and Justin Raad. In readiness for these games and the forthcoming season, the players are soon to commence training on Mondays as well as Wednesdays and are also set to play games against local teams as well as local cruise ships. Discussions are also taking place to determine if these boys will follow in the footsteps of the Brita Red bulls and play as a ‘schoolboy’ team in the up and coming GBFL adult senior league. As always coaches, sponsors, parents and suitable players are welcome every Wednesday from 5pm at Freeport Rugby & Football Club as part of the ever expanding Dolly Madison Youth Soccer Academy
Dolly Madison Youth Soccer Academy to kick off Wednesday, September 17th
After a break over the summer months, The Dolly Madison Youth Soccer Academy ( formerly the Grand Bahama Youth Soccer Development Programme) is scheduled to restart on Wednesday September 17th at Freeport Rugby Football Club at 5pm for all boys aged 9 to 21 years of age .
The Soccer Academy offers those young male players, looking to further develop their soccer, an additional means of improving their skills and experience in the game of soccer. The Programme provides a framework which complements the YMCA and School programmes by offering players further higher level and qualified coaching and additional organized practices and competitive games.
The Academy is for players aged 10 to 21 and continues to go from strength to strength. Current goals include:
· Expansion of teams in the Intermediate I League for boys aged 13 to 17 as they are able to utilize the additional pitches available at The Freeport Rugby & Football Club · Fast track some of the ‘impressive young players’ from Coach Brad and Coach Wayne’s Under 12s into the I league · Look to resurrect the Brita Red Bulls which was set up for the sole purpose of enabling young players aged 15 to 18 to experience adult senior football in a controlled and properly coached manner · the continuation of the recent liaisons with US colleges. Currently there are 7 players who have come through the Academy’s ranks who are studying in the US on soccer scholarships. Indeed Dominic Adams , one of our first youngsters, recently transferred to a Nationally Ranked soccer College ( Quinnipiac University ) after impressing scouts in his first season in college in the US and also spent the summer playing for Colorado Rapids Under 23 team.
Any interested players or persons interested in helping to coach or sponsor the Programme can contact Mark Hardy at 357 5403 or come to Freeport Rugby and Football Club from 5pm every Wednesday
Indeed if you simply want to see what is going on then come to Freeport Rugby and Football Club every Wednesday starting September 17th at 5pm .
For up-to-date information on the league and the rest of the Dolly Madison Youth Soccer Programme check out the newly revised website at https://rugbyfootballbahamas.com/
And tell the wife /girlfriend /sweetheart/tingum (*1) you were going to start exercising
WE”RE BACK
The Freeport Rugby Football Club opens its doors for another season . Rugby tuesday and thursday , football wednesdays and soon back on a monday also. Ladies soccer starting back up soon. (**2)
Grab those boots , grab your wallet or book of tickets that have been through the wash, make your excuses for a late ‘kick off ‘ which is why you get home at midnight
*1 delete where applicable though more than one may apply
**2 Obviously if you’re a thievin barsteward ( you know who you are and we will soon too !) the club is always open !
Freeport Rugby Club ended the season on a high Saturday with a hard fought 27-7 win over Nassau rivals Bailou. With the Bahamas Cup already won Freeport needed to win Saturday to ensure a rare double and win the Championship Cup and complete the most successful season in recent years.
Captained by Ricardence Michels Freeport began strongly and soon had Bailou on the back foot and with the forwards making some strong runs Jackelo Pierrie and Perkins Joseph fond the gaps to put Freeport close the Bailou goal line with the first five minutes. Freeport took the lead with a penalty by Kasey Charlton and soon scored again with a magnificent run by Leon Mcphee who rumbled over the corner to secure a eight point lead.
Bailou battled hard and with Kevin Salabee and Stevie Thompon controlling their attacks they made some strong runs to remind Freeport the game wasn’t over. Some crunching tackles from Freeport by George Walker, Aaron Turnquest, Robbie Bulter and Marco Surin stopped Bailou advancing too far and soon a superb blocked kick by Jackelo Pierre enables Gio Rolle to score in the corner to leave Freeport 15-0 with five on the half to play.
Just as Freeport were threatening to run away with the game a superb try from Bailou put them 15-7 down at half time and the game was wide open. Coach Herb Merritt brought Johnnie Charles on for the superb Richard Dorsett and Freeport began strongly again with some fine performances by Edwin Joseph Brad Culmer and the old man KC Charlton enabling the flying Gio Rolle to score a solo try by sprinting 60 yards and touching down in the corner.
Freeport lead by 22-7 and were now playing some great rugby and with the local crowd cheering them on nearly scored another great try but for some obstruction from KC Charlton Brad Culmer would have scored in the corner! However, within five minutes Denny Osias scored a magical try and Freeport secured the Championship with a fine display.
The victory finished a great season for the team and with nine players from Freeport recently returning from National Team duty in Cayman the future looks very bright.
Many thanks to everyone who helped this year and special thanks to those companies and individuals that made time off / travel tickets, lunches and sponsorship possible, especially – Freeport Container Port, Freecon, Andrea Thompson, Cafferata & Co, Pendragon Investments and all the members and supporters of the club.
Visiting team this SATURDAY MAY 10 – 4PM KICK OFF – UNDER 21 – Please come out and support!
