Visiting English team Wigan-Leigh College prevailed 24-4 against Jamaica Hurricanes Academy U19s in a hotly contested test match at the Mona Bowl on Saturday. The historic encounter marked the first time a local U19 team faced foreign opposition on home soil.
“The game was very physical and competitive encounter, nothing we didn’t expect,” said Wigan-Leigh head coach Kieron Purtill. “It was great to get the win and we hope to be able to repeat the fixture again at some point and help the growth of the game in Jamaica. It’s been a great experience for our team to travel to Jamaica, the numbers and standard of players is good to see.”
Hurricanes started confidently, winning g a penalty for offside on their first set. However, they failed to find touch on the ensuing kick, allowing Wigan-Leigh to take a 4-0 lead when center Dylan Hughes scored in the right corner on the counterattack. Five minutes later, the lead extended to 10-0 when winger Toa Bayliss scored in the left corner, with Lucas Tyrer converting. Despite several chances, the Hurricanes failed to capitalize, and Wigan-Leigh further extended their lead to 16-0 when Kian Stanton’s agile footwork saw him breach the defense to score on 18 minutes. Josh Lee's successful conversion put the visitors firmly in control at halftime.
The Jamaican team showed improved performance in both attack and defense in the second half. They opened the scoring when Shevaughn Smith displayed deft footwork to secure a try, narrowing the deficit to 16-4. However, despite more opportunities, the home team couldn't add further points, and their challenges were further compounded when prop Dominique Myers was red carded for dangerous contact, reducing them to 12 players. The visitors remained steady and sealed the game with tries from Daniel Foster and Kieron Cooke, making it a final score of 24-4.
Hurricanes Coach, Antonio Baker, commented: “I am proud of our team regardless of the score line. The physicality was there but we lacked finesse and tactical skills to move the ball as we wanted to. We got in some good positions, but a lack of experience saw us give away our advantage. Wigan-Leigh capitalized on their own chances. Much thanks to Wigan-Leigh for a very spirited game and hope we will get more opportunities to play them again and other youth teams from England as this can only continue to help us develop.”
Jamaica Hurricanes U19 Academy
Gavon Bent, Dominique Myers, Fitzroy McLeod III, Tyreke Hutchinson, Jaleel Green, Khaeron Carlyle, Antwon Mckane, Matthew Craig, Brandon Gordon, Shevaughn Smith, Ahmeekique Miller, Maliq Morris, Ricardo Smith, Tyrone Davidson, Melvin Harris, Carl Thompson, Shaquille Drummond, Dowayne James, Oneil Britton
Coach: Antonio Baker
Wigan-Leigh College
Ethan Sherlmerdine, Toa Bayliss, Diego Walker, Kallan Hilton, Lucas Tyrer, Josh Lee, Kian Stanton, Ben Gaskell, Rhys Clayton, Kieron Clarke, Daniel Foster, Callum Darbyshire, Harry Cawley, Daniel Alker, Freddie Findley, Spencer Dodd, Tyler Topping Higson
Coach Kieron Purtill.
Canada to host Jamaica in Toronto in men's senior international in October
Lamport Stadium in Toronto is to again host a senior men’s rugby league international for ranking points, when Canada face Jamaica on Saturday 19 October 2024. It is part of a reciprocal agreement between the nations which will see the Wolverines travel to the Caribbean island next year.
Jamaica are building up for their appearance as the Americas representative in the inaugural 2025 World Series, as they attempt to qualify for a second successive men’s World Cup to be held in Australia in 2026.
“Playing annual internationals is crucial to engaging our playing community, sponsors and fans,” said Jamaica RLA director of rugby, Romeo Monteith. “We won't improve as a nation unless we have regular games. It is a priority for us to play Canada and the USA in men and women fixtures annually.”
Montieth added: “It's always tough playing on the road, we have to contend with visa issues, time off work for players and of course the costs. However, the challenges make those games even more special. We have never won away versus Canada and so we expect another tough assignment.
“Roy Calvert and I are open to selecting players from all competitions, however, the majority of the squad is expected to be from the Island. I think both squads will be highly motivated to perform and this should make it another entertaining game for the fans.”
Canada men’s head coach, Aaron Zimmerle, noted: “We look forward to welcoming Jamaica to Toronto. Apart from meeting at the Americas Championship, geography makes playing regularly difficult for both nations. The dual game agreement allows our ever-improving Wolverines to plan for more challenges which is just what we need and want.”
CRLA chair, John Cameron, added: “We’re excited to enter into this home and away series with Jamaica, where our women already were welcomed with such warm hospitality last autumn. We hope to share the same spirit of friendship with the Jamaica men as they visit the heart of rugby league in eastern Canada.”
Jamaica Exodus go down 22-28 to Tampa Mayhem in Florida
Jamaica Exodus went down 22-28 to the Tampa Mayhem in their debut 13s representative match on Saturday, May 11, at the Hillsborough High School in Tampa. The contest was a contrast of two halves. Tampa raced to a 16-4 lead at half time and seemed destined to rack up a big score against the visitors. Things looked even worse when the home team scored first just after the break.
However, the Jamaicans had a huge rally in the second half and almost snatched victory at the end, denied by desperate Tampa defense on the very last play of the game. Overall, Adrian Hall led Exodus with 10 points from three goals and a try, Ricardo Richards bagged two tries at center, and winger Oshane Christy got on the score sheet with a try. Tries for Tampa came from Gunnar Johnson, Justin Davenport, Lee Soprenuk, Justion Branca and Donte Salter. Jayeden Jeanes completed Tampa’s scoring with eight points from four goals.
Exodus Manager Mike Williams said, “This was an excellent test for our boys, tours such as this replicate the short turnaround time players will face when playing with the full Jamaica National side. I am pleased with the overall effort from the team, Tampa is a solid outfit and gave as good as they got. Our fight back in the second half was very pleasing and we look forward to touring again next year, hopefully in Tampa again.
The Jamaican team was proudly sponsored by Rapid Production, Maximize the Moment and JM Documents and Services. The team will now set its sight on possible participation in the Las Vegas 9s in 2025, and a return to Florida to take on one of the State based teams. The Exodus program was created in 2022 to further expose aspiring and national players residing in the USA, Canada, and Jamaica to high-level competition in North America.
Jamaica Exodus: Kareem Harris, Odane Lalor, Mike Williams, Sheldon Kelly (Atlanta Rhinos) Adrian Thomas, Andre McFarlane, Kevin Thomas (Duhaney Park Red Sharks), Adrian Hall, (Liguanea Dragons), Daniel Dean (Tampa Mayhem), Odane Christy, Oshane Christy (St Catherine Old Boys Thundercats) Chevaun Smith, David Williams, Jevaughn Henry, Hakeem Richards, Linval Green, Sean Reid (Washington Blvd. Bulls), Ricardo Richards, (West Kingston Hyenas), Sandino Hastings, (Unattached).
Calabar High and Cedar Grove Academy crowned Rugby League U14 and U16 champions
Rugby League Jamaica concluded its U14 and U16 High School 13-a-side Championships on Friday, April 26, at Campion College. In U14 action, five-time defending champions Calabar High faced off against BB Coke High, whilst in U16, Calabar battled last year’s beaten finalist, Cedar Grove Academy, for top honours.
In the U14s, Calabar overcame a spirited BB Coke outfit 8-4, to grab their sixth consecutive hold on the trophy. Jahir Brown scored both tries for the winners, whilst Tyrell Scott got the consolidation try for BB Coke.
Cedar Grove then won their maiden U16 title with a clinical defensive display, holding off Calabar 14-2. Elvis Simms led the victors with eight points from two tries with support from Steven Constantine with a try while Nathan Brown kicked a goal for two points. Derone Plummer kicked a goal to give Calabar their only points.
Commenting on his team’s performance in both finals, Oshane Edie, head coach of Calabar said, “Our U14s are a new young group who just started playing, it’s a great result to get the win and bodes well for the future. Throughout the season Devontae Molar and Amore Anderson were good for us, their exceptional play along with their teammates gave us the victory. As for our U16s, they had a good season, but I think we were a bit overconfident in the finals and paid the price. Overall, the rugby league programme at Calabar remains strong and is looking good for the future.”
Cedar Grove’s winning coach Antonio Baker attributed victory to hard work stating, “Winning the U16 crown is a culmination of years of work that has finally paid off. We’ve been close on several occasions before, including past year, when we were beaten finalists, but this season our focus was spot on, and we are happy for the school.”
In other action on the day, Kingston College snatched 3rd place over Campion College 6-4. Armani Burnette with the try for the winners and Donnoy Harris kicking a goal. Meanwhile, Josah Bennett bagged Campion’s lone try.
In Girls action, BB Coke won the final 9-a-side tournament of the school year, Grove Academy 16-8 and 16-4 in a best of three clash.
-
SportsMax is the Caribbean sports channel of choice, committed to providing sporting content of the highest quality to the Caribbean, delivered by a team of highly innovative, passionate and qualified professionals.
(876) 619-7629
digitalmedia@sportsmax.tv
