The Saint Lucia women’s rugby sevens squad has achieved a remarkable victory at the French West Indies tournament in Gosier, Guadeloupe, capturing both team and individual honors in dominant fashion. The team secured the prestigious Monique Ribeaut Shield after demonstrating exceptional performance throughout the competition.
In a commanding final match against hosts Union Good Luck 972 A, Saint Lucia emerged victorious with a decisive 19-7 scoreline. The team’s success was spearheaded by standout athlete Makeba Alcide, who received the tournament’s Most Valuable Player recognition, and captain Renatta Reynolds, whose leadership proved instrumental in controlling the game’s tempo. Alcide contributed two crucial tries to the final victory, complemented by a try from Mary Roberts and two successful conversions executed by Kera Dornelly.
The championship journey featured impressive performances across multiple matches. During the semifinal round, Saint Lucia delivered a stunning 22-0 shutout against Diamante Martinique, with scoring contributions from Roberts, Alcide, Marline Cherry, and Allana Paul. The tournament’s opening day witnessed an overwhelming 33-5 victory over Good Luck 972, highlighted by Reynolds’ exceptional hat trick of tries, two additional tries from Roberts, and a sixth try scored by Shammah Philgence.
Further demonstrating their offensive prowess, the team achieved a resounding 41-7 victory against RCAS, featuring another hat trick from Roberts, two tries and two conversions from Reynolds, and an additional try from Cherry.
Wayne Pantor, Technical Director of the Saint Lucia Rugby Football Union, praised the team’s achievement: ‘These victories highlight the preparation, fitness, and attacking strength of the Saint Lucia Women’s team as they made a strong statement in the tournament. The women’s championship victory highlights the continued rise of Saint Lucia rugby, while the senior men’s competitiveness and youth development efforts signal a strong future for the sport.’
The tournament also featured participation from Saint Lucia’s men’s teams, with the senior squad securing fifth place and the Under-20 development team finishing eighth. Despite narrow losses in several closely contested matches, both teams gained valuable experience against international competition, with notable performances from players Alexis (senior team) and Dante Asson (Under-20s). Pantor emphasized that for many players, this tournament represented their first exposure to international competition, serving as crucial preparation for higher tiers of rugby competition.