The battle is on in Summer Touch league

Dave Stringer for Island Air keep Delta on their toes.

After seven rounds of the Tradeview Markets Corporate Summer Touch Rugby League 2017, there is all to play for at the top of all three divisions. With teams suffering from the inevitable absences due to vacation, work commitments and the fun and frolics of Cayman Life, squad numbers are being tested and players are having to dig deep into their physical reserves as the temperature goes up to Gas Mark 8.

In the Premier League, Island Air tops the table but only because Delta has played one game less. In their Round 3 match-up, Delta beat their closest rivals 5-4. These will no doubt battle it out all the way to the season’s end. Delta’s strength lies in their ability to score tries from any positions with Jyoti “Bok” Choi, Smiley Riley Mullen and Westy West topping their scoring charts. Genesis is bubbling nicely in third whilst Heineken Red Stars stock seems over-inflated in fourth. Maples 1 and Kalo Advisors are nipping at their heels and will look to overtake in Round 8.

CML-NOVA manage to get the ball ways before the touch was made

 

The Invitational Division (previously “The League Known as Division 2”) has Collas Crill still on top of the heap, even though they have played one game less. Oliver Dunford is the summer’s top try scorer for the moment with a baker’s dozen (13) of meat pies. They lead on points difference from Fund Fiduciary Partners Under 16s both having won 5 and lost 1. The FFP U16s have found their mojo and with a number of players returning from school they will be pushing hard for the summit. Their ability to get the girls into try scoring positions serves them well as girl scorers get double points. MUFG continue to break records with an average of 10 points per game. They have a very strong female contingent including Jess Deegenaars, Agueda Blake, Monette Windsor and Monique Henry. This is a team on a trajectory to the Finals for sure.

The Recreational Division has now been split into two Division A and B.

DMS ride high in Rec. Div. A winning six out of seven games they’ve played. They have an experienced core to their team and even though the likes of Johnny Doak looks knackered before he even takes to the pitch, he still oozes all the class of an old thoroughbred put out to stud, prancing proudly around the paddock. GCM are not far behind before a gap opens up to the rest. Even though Grant Thornton sounds like a day-time TV soap star from the 1980’s or a manufacturer of deluxe dark chocolate truffles, as a touch team they are comfortably mid-table.

Eamon Wilson from Align cannot break the Cayman Junior Rugby Trusts defense.

 

In Rec. Div. B Island Heritage lead by the narrowest of margins (+1 points difference) against the Cayman Turtles U14s these two are swimming away from the rest of the pack. The Turtles suffered their first defeat against Campbells. It was a harsh lesson learnt with a failure to stick to the game plan and a lack of composure counting against them. Either that or the fact that they had to try and circumnavigate Cayman National XV Rugby Prop Forward and gargantuan Pete de Vere meant their little legs just couldn’t keep up.

The rest of the teams are evenly matched and shows the league is competitive at whatever level is being played.

Organisers say sponsors Tradeview Markets have really embraced this sport and if the matches continue to be as enjoyable as this then the summer of touch rugby is going to be hotter than ever.

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