Former CSU mentor is in reach of a coaching milestone
By Anya Whitelaw, Western Advocate
He found his fair share of success when coaching CSU, the Bathurst Harlequins and junior NSW Country teams, but now Bathurst product Dave Conyers is within reach of what is arguably his biggest moment as a mentor.
Now based in the United States of America, the South men’s team Conyers coaches are just one win away from claiming America’s first ever North American Caribbean Rugby Association title.
Conyers’ men moved within reach of the historic first when beating the visiting Cayman Islands national squad 9-7 in wet conditions on Saturday. That success means another victory over Bermuda on May 18 will be good enough to land them the crown.
Conyers said “ grit, determination and self belief” was what landed USA South the win over Cayman Islands.
“It was the defensive effort of the South, and now a trademark of their play, in the opening stanza that won the game for the home team,” Conyers said. “The determination of this team to succeed and believe in each other has been a fantastic evolvement this NACRA season.
“We are so proud of our Southern territory and the commitment we get from all concerned, the Holy Grail is now in our sites.”
It was back in 2007 when Conyers got his first real taste of rugby union in the USA. Still based in Bathurst at that time, he was the coach of the NSW Country under 18s side which embarked on an 18-day tour of America.
The highlight of that tour was a match against the USA under 19s – it was also a match that helped sparked Conyers’ desire to coach overseas.
Six years on Conyers was on the sidelines at Marietta in Georgia as his USA South team had to battle tough conditions after torrential rain left inches of water on top of the playing surface.
The first 30 minutes it was the visitors who looked the most dangerous, Cayman’s strong kicking game and scrum applying plenty of pressure on USA South.
Despite their weight of possession, Cayman managed just one try and when South booted a penalty goal as the half-time siren sounded they were very much in the match, trailing 7-3.
Conyers instructed his men to stick to their original tactics after the break. The decision paid off as following a penalty goal which put South within one point of the lead, they lifted.
“The South game plan of close rucking and risk free ball control started to pay off after the tactic was well defended by the Cayman in the opening half,” Conyers said.
“With 15 minutes on the clock the Cayman intensity was noticeably dropping off and the South had finally won some consistent possession and were able to achieve some much needed field position.”
Conyers men showed the grit he spoke off to close out the match – a highlight being a 15-phase, 45-yard drive.
