Rugby: Cable and Wireless Island Nations Cup |28 March 2023

Bradley Jardine and the Sharks are presently leading the standings on maximum six points after two matches played

Sharks lead the standings with two wins out of two matches

After day two of competition, Sharks are presently table leaders in the Island Nations Cup, sponsored by Cable and Wireless, after collecting two wins out of two matches played.

Sharks are leading on maximum six points, the same tally as second-placed Flying Foxes who have an inferior point’s difference.

Leaders Sharks have 118 points for and 24 against for a nett difference of 94, compared to Flying Foxes who have 106 points for, and 49 against for a nett difference of 57.

In their last match on Saturday at Stad Popiler, Sharks beat Snappers 68-12, while Flying Foxes defeated Pirates 46-22.

Black Parrots who defeated Marlins 45-19 on Saturday are presently third overall on three points from a win and a defeat out of two matches played, ahead of fourth-placed Snappers who are also on three points after a win and a loss out of two matches played.

However, the former boast a superior point’s difference – 95 for and 108 against for a -13 nett difference – compared to the latter who have a nett difference of -24 from 101 for and 125 against.

Still winless after two matches played, Pirates are presently fifth without any points, holding only to a nett difference -55 (34 for and 89 against), above sixth-placed Marlins who are also winless after two matches played, with an inferior point’s difference of -59 (46 for and 105 against).

In day three of the league which is scheduled for April 23, Flying Foxes will play against Sharks, while Black Parrots will meet Pirates, with Marlins playing against Snappers.

Initiated last year following the revamped of the Seychelles Rugby Union (SRU), the league initially featured four selections who battled for the inaugural title.

The four teams who played for the cup last season were Seyboks (made up of South African expatriates), Madagascar (made up of Malagasy expatriates), Seychelles (made up of locals) and the International Barbarians featuring all other nationalities presently residing, or working in Seychelles.

According to the SRU, following post-mortem of the 2022 season, they have decided to mix the teams this season, thus making the competition a friendlier one, and also giving more players the opportunity to take part in a more sociable environment, rather than being limited to representing their country of origin.

Roland Duval