The Virgin Islands (VI) U19 Rugby team ended tournament play at the North American Caribbean Rugby Association (NACRA) Youth Rugby Championships with a third straight defeat at the hands of hosts Trinidad and Tobago, in Port of Spain yesterday July 18, 2014. Photo: Provided

Following a break and a talk from the coach, the VI then sprang to life, scoring a second half try and getting some clutch kicking from Captain Rory Thornton (right) to pull within five at 19-14, but then three late tries put the match out of reach for the first year VI team. Photo: Provided

The VI, playing in the regional tournament for the first time, opened its 2014 NACRA U19 campaign with a comprehensive loss, 34 – 14, to the Turks and Caicos (T&C). The Turks quickly built a 19-6 lead by half time and it seemed the debutants to the competition might be in for a one sided struggle.

But that is what a ten minute break and time with your coach is for.

The VI then sprang to life, scoring a second half try and getting some clutch kicking from Captain Rory Thornton to pull within five at 19-14, but then three late tries put the match out of reach for the first year VI team.

Despite losing its last round robin match 14-10 to the Turks and Caicos Islands, Bermuda emerged as 2014 NACRA Trophy Division winners with 10 pts in the table due to the bonus point for losing by less than 7 to T&C.

In the earlier match it was the replacement Trinidad and Tobago Selects winning 34-6 over the Virgin Islands, technically finishing in a tie with Bermuda with 10 points but having lost the head-to-head to the Bermudans earlier in the week.

A triple header day will wrap the NACRA U19 tournament today Saturday July 19, 2014 as Mexico takes on Barbados in the title match, USA South will play Jamaica in the battle of second place teams while the Cayman Islands will play Trinidad and Tobago for third place bragging rights.

In the VI’s second game, which was the second half of the double header on Friday July 18, 2014 it was Bermuda putting together a five try performance in a 34-7 win over the VI to win the Trophy Pool A.