USA South 6

Bermuda 33

Bermuda crashed to defeat against USA South in their opening North American Caribbean Rugby Association Championship qualifying match in Atlanta on Saturday.

Roedolf Van Der Westhuizen, the Bermuda head coach, selected his strongest line-up but his side still came up short against their younger, quicker opponents.

The USA South drew first blood with a penalty goal. Bermuda’s Tommy Edwards then kicked two penalty goals to give the visiting side a 6-3 lead.

Bermuda, who early on lost the services of Neville Zuill with concussion because of a dangerous tackle, fell behind when a missed tackle by Corey Boyce enabled the USA South to score their first try. The USA South failed to convert to leave the score 10-6 at the interval.

Early in the second period, the USA South added a second try which was converted. The home side then increased their advantage with three unanswered penalty goals to give them a 26-6 lead.

In the 38th minute, Bermuda allowed the USA South to much space to score their third try, which was converted.

Bermuda squad: Paul Dobinson; Mike Williams; Dustin Archibald; Dave Rourke; Tashon Desilva; Paul Canfield; Thomas Greenslade; Peter Dunkerley; Tom Healy; Tommy Edwards; Neville Zuill; Paull Davis; Rich Cumbers; Corey Boyce; Dan Cole; Bongani Ndlovu; Jahan Cedenio; Edward Barnes; Adam Richards; Conor McGlynn; Paddy Graham; Richard Boyd.