St. Lucia struggled manfully against the eventual champions, but succumbed to a 13-try, 87-0 loss.

Enjoying an advantage in size, strength, speed and experience, Barbados ran out worthy winners of the match, and of the RWC qualifying round and now face Bahamas on 1 October in the North-South final.

In a revival of the old McGregor Cup meanwhile, which first took place in 1929 between Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago, hosts Guyana secured a notable win - the first in recent memory - over their traditional powerhouse neighbours.

Guyana scored five tries, with two each from exciting wingers Cornelius Butts and Kevin McKenzie. Brendan O'Farrell contributed two dropped goals, a penalty and a conversion to the reply.

Trinidad and Tobago's captain Adam Frederick confirmed his reputation as an outstanding footballer, but his energy was not enough to suppress Guyana, who have produced a fine team through a solid youth programme that has also seen them crowned Caribbean Under 18 champions from 2003 to 2005.

Guyana played host to this Americas Rugby World Cup qualifying Round 1a Southern Caribbean group that saw Guyana, Barbados, St Lucia and Trinidad & Tobago compete.

Match day one saw Barbados come back from a 17-7 decifit at half time to defeat Guyana 27-17, while Trinidad & Tobago outclassed St. Lucia, running out 82-0 winners.

Match day two again saw St. Lucia overwhelmed, this time by an exciting display of running rugby by Guyana, as they proved too strong to run out 97-0 winners with 15 tries.

Barbados, meanwhile, had taken early advantage of their stronger forwards to provide the basis of a four try to one victory over Trinidad and Tobago by 25-13.