Cayman rugby squad beats Jamaica 36-24 in key game

(CRFC): Cayman triumphed over a Jamaican side touted by some as “the best ever seen on these shores” in front of a capacity crowd at the South Sound Rugby ground on Saturday 16 April. The win sees Cayman safely through the first round of the 2011 NACRA Men’s Caribbean Championships and the Cayman team must now travel to Mexico City to play a Mexican national side which defeated USA South 25-9 on 9 April. The date for the Mexico vs. Cayman fixture has yet to be officially decided but it is likely that Cayman will not get much of a rest before they make the trip to Mexico.

The South Sound encounter lived up to all expectations. Within moments of the 4pm kick off the Jamaicans were in control of the game with a 5-0 lead. The early pace and explosive power of the Jamaican team shocked the Cayman XV and onlookers alike but Cayman’s composure lead to a long period of Caymanian control and the sure foot of full back Robbie Cribb soon slotted 3 penalties to give Cayman a 4 point lead.

With the Cayman side settling into their pattern and dominating both the scrum and line out the Jamaican’s were increasingly starved of the ball. Josh Clarke extended the Cayman lead further having pounced on some scrappy Jamaican lineout ball to catch the Jamaican defence asleep to take the score to 16-5.

Cayman would have hoped to close out the half with an 11 point lead but the Jamaican team marched back up field to score before the half timewhistle and bring the score back to within four points 16-12.

The Cayman team came out in the 2nd half and wasted no time in getting the score board ticking over again. Having retrieved a Jamaican ball from a kick off some quick hands in the Cayman back line allowed Mike Wilson to score out wide. Shortly thereafter, some further hard fought phase play from the Cayman forwards gave space for Keswick Wright to dive over the line and with Robbie Cribb slotting further penalties when given the opportunity the Caymanian lead grew.

Whilst the Caymanians showed their ability to control the ball and maintain their lead the Jamaicans showed their ability to soak up the Caymanian pressure and score when opportunity came knocking and late in the 2nd half 2 more Jamaican tries lead to a nervy finish for the Cayman team.

Final Score: Cayman 36-24 Jamaica

The Cayman Islands have climbed 2 places in the IRB world rankings from 69 to 67 as a result of the win over Jamaican

For Cayman:
Tries: Josh Clarke, Mike Wilson, Keswick Wright
Conversions: Robbie Cribb x 3
Penalties: Robbie Cribb x5

Cayman Team:

1. Ben McDonald 2. JS de Jager (subbed Mick Kehoe) 3. Peter de Vere (subbed Paul Parker, subbed Ron Arscott) 4. Dan Bond 5. Doug Anderson (subbed Shaun Gerrard) 6. Craig Morgan (Subbed Macdonald Machingura) 7. Josh Clarke 8. Ben Blair 9. Simon Crompton 10. Sam Sage 11. Keswick Wright (subbed James Waters) 12. Joel Clarke 13. Mike Wilson 14. Dow Travers 15. Robbie Cribb. Unused: Ed Hayward.

For Jamaica:
Tries: Tyrom Rowe (x3), Alessando Allen
Conversions: Everton Richard (x2)

Jamaica Team:
1. Tiege Jackson 2. Jadeek Clarke 3. Romren Campbell 4. Sandino Hastings 5. Amil Edwards 6. Tyrom Rowe 7. Allesando Allen 8. Oraine Smith 9. Oshane Eddie 10. ONeil McCallo 11. Andrew Fong 12. Everton Richard 13. Ryan Spence 14. Lavior Carl 15. Joseph Shae

Subs: 16. Carlyle Burger 17. Robert Johnson 18. Jade Harris 19. Christian Grayson 20. Ryan Hytton 21. Omar Jones 22. Jason Bineham

Pictures (by Caroline Deegan):
CayJam1: The Victorious Cayman National XV.
CayJam2: The Jamaican forwards struggled in the scrum and lineout for 80 minutes.
CayJam3: Michael Wilson on his way to score for Cayman.
CayJam4: Keswick Wright scored Cayman’s 3rd try.
CayJam5: Josh Clarke scored for Cayman and defended strongly throughout.

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