Rory Thornton and the Cedar U-16 Champions pictured with Donovan Staples. Photo: Charlie Jackson/VINO

Cedar U14's also came out victorious at the BVIRU Inter High School Championship with a 2-1 win over ESHS. Photo: Charlie Jackson/VINO

Rory Thornton has graced the School Championship with speed, skill, determination and leadership. Photo: Charlie Jackson/VINO

Thornton, in his last year at the school, as so often in previous Championships was the catalyst for Cedar U16’s, both in defense and attack, but although still able to power his team mates to victory was more than a little surprised by the tenacity and skill of the pre final underdogs, St Georges. “I wouldn’t agree they were the underdogs” he exclaimed “St Georges had  a lot of fast skillful players, but Cedar held firm defensively and drew on our experience to stay the stronger”

The final score was 4-1, but Thornton and his team had several moments of concern when at just 2-1 ahead St Georges camped themselves deep in the Cedar half. However they were unable to penetrate that tight, disciplined defensive line and Cedar took advantage of a tiring St Georges to put the game beyond doubt.

Although Thornton’s joy of another Trophy was tinged with a hint of sadness he was quick to acknowledge the spirit of the game shown by all Schools and the work done by Development Coach Sam Solomon “Today was  a great day with some awesome teams  and there was a lot of great rugby “

Cedar had gone unbeaten en route to the final with a 5-2 win over the Seven Day Adventists, a 2-1 win over St Georges and an 8-0 rout of Elmore Stoutt High.

The last game in group play had probably proved the most tense and exciting as with both the Seven Day and St Georges battling it out for the right to face Cedar in the final. St Georges needing just a point held firm despite tremendous pressure, created several good chances to score themselves and in the end did just enough to progress in a 0-0 draw.

Elmore Stout suffered three straight losses to be eliminated.

In the U14’s Elmore Stoutt met Cedar in the final and suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat to begin what would become a double success.

To reach the final ESHS recorded victories over the Seven Day Adventists, 3-0, drew 1-1 with Cedar and cruised past St Georges 3-0.  Cedar edged St Georges 1-0 and beat SDA by the same score line.

In the other match up St Georges beat SDA 2-1.

After the Trophies had been handed out by National team player and member of the Arawaks Rugby Club, Donovan Staples, who praised the level of Rugby he had seen from all the teams involved, Coach “Solo” noted “Cedar has always been the form team, but St Georges had been working hard for the past few weeks and thoroughly deserved their place in the U-16 final but were unlucky in the end.”

He also commented on how the game was progressing nicely at the School level “very exciting rugby, right away I’m thinking the u16’s need to play contact (full tackle) rugby with less people on the pitch. The teams are starting to running good lines and making big passes with plenty of movement”