Sports
Cayman rugby squad soars up world rankings
(CNS): The Cayman Islands became the biggest climbers of the latest IRB World Rankings with a five-place elevation to 58th after beating the Bahamas 35-7 in a warm-up to the NACRA (North American Caribbean Rugby Association) Championships recently. The win lifted the national rugby squad to within one place of its highest ever position since the rankings were introduced in October 2003, while also condemning the Bahamas to a three-place fall to 92nd. Richard Grizz Adams from the CRFU said the weekend trip to the Bahamas was a massive success all round as every Cayman team remained unbeaten.
The Cayman Mens XV in Freeport, Bahamas on 3 May was the first international match of the 2014 season and the team came away with a 35-7 victory moving them up from 63rd to 58th in the rankings. A win at the next fixture against Bermuda will elevate them to their highest ever world ranking.
The game started in the best possible way with Robbie Cribb getting over to score a try in the opening minute of the game as well as converting the attempt to add the extra 2 points. Bahamas then retaliated with a fantastic piece of individual skill by their No 10 Connor Albury who expertly chipped through for a score under the posts as well as adding the extras to bring the score to 7-7 with 6 minutes of the game underway.
Cayman then went on to pressure the Bahamas for an extended period and made the breakthrough with captain Chris Kennedy getting the 2nd try for Cayman. Robbie Cribb added the extras once again and the scores where now14-7 with 22 minutes gone. At the 30 minute mark Eddie Westin skipped his way through 3 defenders to score Caymans 3rd try with Robbie Cribb adding the extras again to make it 21-7. From the restart, a rash tackle by the Bahamian no 7 on Cayman’s Yohann Regnard resulted in a yellow card and Bahamas where now down a man for the next 10 minutes.
Play was temporarily suspended at half time due to lightning in the vicinity and play got underway again after a 45 minute break. On the 69 minute mark, Eddie Westin raced in for Caymans 4th try and Marco Du Plessis added the extras to take Cayman to a commanding 28-7 lead with 10 mins of regular play left. 3 minutes later Eddie Westin went in for his 3rd try of the game and Marco Du Plessis successfully converted to make it 35-7 which was the final score of the match.
Eddie Westin was awarded the man of the match for his fantastic performance on the day and Cayman retained the Becks Cup which is awarded to the winning team between Cayman and Bahamas.
Scorers:
Tries: Eddie Westin (3), Robbie Cribb , Chris Kennedy
Conversions: Robbie Cribb (3), Marco Du Plessis (2)
Cayman Team: Phil Fourie, Jason Scarff, Pete De Vere, Yohann Regnard, Paul Smith, Chris Kennedy (Captain), Eddie Westin, Ben Blair, Robbie Cribb, Marco Du Plessis, Alex Pineau, Josh Brown, Keswick Wright, Cueme Parker, Chris Palmer, Richard Adams, Paul Westin, Jacob MacAdam, Dan Bond, Venasio Tokatokavanua, Michael Sumares, Adam Keenan, Garrett Connolly
“The Cayman U10, U12, U14 and U16 all put together dominant performances in every match against Bahamas and Key Biscayne teams,” said Adams, adding that the U10 drew their first game but went on to win all others.
“Each team played either three or four matches over the weekend and all the hard work of the coaching staff was very evident as the Cayman players tackled with venom against much bigger opposition,” Adams said
This is the fourth year in a row that the Cayman teams have travelled to Freeport for the tournament chartering a flight and taking a party of one hundred and twenty people for the weekend. “The addition of the U16 team was a massive boost and the National Senior Men’s team retaining the Becks CupV Bahamas was also a great addition to the weekend,” the local Rugby leader said.
Deputy governor running for Hospice challenge
(CNS): The deputy governor is hoping to hit two birds with one stone for his inaugural 5K Challenge by encouraging civil servants to get fitter and healthier and at the same time help Derek Haines in his goal to reach $1m to build an in-patient care centre for the local hospice. Franz Manderson, who has been on a fitness drive of his own, has also been instrumental in helping his staff improve their wellbeing by introducing various health initiatives. “This challenge is launched in keeping with my goal to have a healthier, more active civil service,” the deputy governor said.
“It has been extremely pleasing to have so many civil servants join me on this journey towards health and wellness by participating in the various community fitness initiatives over the past few years, including the InterTrust Marathon and many walks/runs. We, as civil servants, now have the opportunity to host our own fitness initiative, in the form of a 5K walk/run," Manderson added.
He explained that the event provides an opportunity to help Derek Haines in his own challenge to raise $1 million this year by running six marathons. Manderson said the theme for his challenge was "Running for the New Hospice".
“To support Derek Haines in his campaign, I will be donating the funds raised from the Deputy Governor's 5k Challenge to Derek's campaign to raise funds for the new Hospice Care building,” he said.
Registration forms will be available on the Cayman Active website, as well as the Department of Sports. Scheduled registration will also be held the week before the event at the Government Administration Building.
See more details on flyer below.
Fellow runners help Haines along road to $1M goal
(CNS): Every penny counts when it comes to Derek Haines’ marathon challenge to raise $1 million to help the local hospice build an inpatient care facility by running six marathons around the world this year. Roger Davies, treasurer of the Hash House Harriers – Hash Cash, handed him CI$1,000 following the AGM and Hash Run, representing a significant amount of the small running club's funds.However, it helped push the current total of money raised to over $375,000. As Haines limbers up for his third 26-mile pavement pounder next month in Pamplona and the half way mark of the challenge, he is hoping to have hit the half-million dollar mark as well.
Davies said that the local runners were delighted to help Haines along the road. "The membership is pleased to be able to support the efforts of one of our members and wish (him) the best of luck in the remaining four marathons."
Haines was particularly pleased for the support of his Monday night running chums.
“This is a lovely and welcome donation. We are a small group and this represents a large percentage of our club funds. It seems I was left out of the email circulation so as to completely surprise me. Members are also donating individually and this is great support," he added.
So far Haines has run the London and Paris marathons, and after the Spanish long distance run, the veteran distance runner will be heading to San Francisco in July, then Dublin in October before he brings it home to take on the annual Cayman Islands marathon in December.
To help Haines further along the road to the target, visit the marathon challenge website and make a donation at six4hospice.com
Bodden Town FC retains local league title
(CNS): Theron Wood confirmed that he is Cayman’s top striker at the weekend when he scored the double that propelled Bodden Town FC past Elite SC 3-2 Sunday to see them retain the Cayman Islands Premier League crown at the TE Mcfield Sports Centre. Wood who scored 28 goals this season helped his team come from behind in what was described as an exciting first half.
Wood’s performance took Bodden Town to 46 points with just one week remaining in the season but it was not an easy win. In the 26th minute, Elite’s Darvin Dixon made a run down the left unmarked and slipped a near post shot past the Bodden Town custodian.
Four minutes later, Bodden Town’s Alfredo Cardoza, an early first half substitute, created the first of many opportunities for Bodden Town. Streaking down the right attacking side Cardoza attempted a cross which found the hand of the pressuring Elite defender in the 18 yard box. Referee Christophel Stewart immediately gave a penalty, which Wood put away to tie level the scoreboard.
In the 30th minute, Cardoza and Wood hooked up again, this time Wood played a cross from the right side across the mouth of goal, passing by two Elite defenders and the keeper Danner Taylor before finding the diminutive Cardoza who was unmarked and who gave Bodden Town the 2-1 advantage.
Elite stepped up under pressure however and were rewarded with a penalty in the 41st minute but Dwayne Wright’s strike was saved by the Bodden Town keeper Jamie Johnson however a but favourable rebound was slotted home by Jedd Ebanks for Elite to even the score at 2-2.
Just on the stroke of the break, Wood found himself of the end of a goal mouth scramble and pounced home his second of the game, 3-2 at halftime.
The second half saw both teams pressing for more goals but it wasn’t to be as Bodden Town held on to the 3-2 victory.
Meanwhile, Bodden Town FC’s club manager was recently soaking up the thrill of football on a bigger stage recently when he took on the role of Match Commissioner for the CONCACAF Champions League (CCL) Final in Mexico last month. Kennedy Kelly was CONCACAF’s official representative managing all match operations for the final between Mexican clubs Cruz Azul and Toluca, who battled for a spot to the FIFA Club World Championship.
“I cherished the entire moment, from the appointment to the final whistle,” the local football administrator told Cayman Football. “It was a great, great experience working at this level,” said Kelly. “When I received the appointment I was very excited, a bit nervous and at the same time I felt very proud and honoured to know that the CONCACAF Competitions Committee had such confidence in me to be the Match Commissioner for a match of such high caliber.”
The CONCACAF Champions League Final was Kelly’s second appointment for the 2013-2014season following an appointment for the CCL Match between Major League Soccer outfit Los Angeles Galaxy and Isidro Metapan of El Salvador in September 2013.
For more information visit caymanfootball.com
Jeff Webb tweets for new football fans
(CNS): President of CONCACAF and vice president of FIFA, Cayman’s Jeff Webb is joining the Twitter community looking for new fans of the game that he is so passionate about to share his experiences and encourage people to follow the sport. “This new platform will allow the Confederation to build a stronger network that supports its mission to develop, promote and manage football throughout the region with integrity, transparency, and passion in order to inspire participation in the game,” a spokesperson for the international football body said. Footy fans can start following Webb tomorrow when he makes his first tweet @jeffreywebb, to keep abreast of his activities in real time.
Swimmers scoop five CARIFTA medals
(CIASA): The Cayman Islands National Junior Swim Team brought home two gold, two silver and one bronze medal from the 2014 CARIFTA Swimming Championships last week in Savaneta, Aruba. Lauren Hew (left) dominated the Girls 13-14 Backstroke events bringing home gold in the 100m and 200m events and silver in the 50m. In addition to a gold medal, Lauren’s 100m swim, in a time of 1:07.21 earned her a CARIFTA record – breaking a record which had stood for 19 years. Cayman’s second silver medal was won by Alison Jackson in the Girls 11-12 50m breaststroke in a time of 36.25.
The girls 13-14 4 x 100 Medley Relay team, Lauren Hew (backstroke), Sarah Jackson (breaststroke), Kavanagh Lambert (butterfly) and Samantha Bailey (freestyle), brought home the bronze in a time of 4:45.91 — the first medal won by a Cayman girls’ relay team in 10 years.
Cayman Swimming’s Technical Director, Bailey Weathers enjoyed his first CARIFTA experience: "I believe the week was a lot of fun for all of the swimmers, staff and parents. More importantly it was a tremendous success,” he said. Close to ninety percent of the swims were life-time bests, and by any standard that is pretty remarkable! We had more swimmers qualify for finals than the Cayman Islands have had for several years. And, just as important we really know the things we need to work on for the future! We were good this week but we will continue to grow and swim a lot better in the months and years to come.”
Coach Brad Hutton, one of Cayman’s CARIFTA Coaches gave a rundown of the statistics:
2013 CARIFTA: 10 individuals make finals in 28 pool events
2014 CARIFTA: 14 individuals make finals in 39 pool events
2013 CARIFTA: 183 points with 12 medals (in the pool)
2014 CARIFTA: 198 points with 5 medals (in the pool)
“The 2015 Team will be in a great position as many of our swimmers age up: a lot of 11 year olds will be at the top of their age group; a lot of 13 year olds at the top of their age group and it will definitely help us to have more swimmers in the 15-17 age group.
“Looking at the statistics from past years shows that the 2014 pool times were much faster, especially in the 50m and 100m events for the 11-2 Girls, 13-14 Girls and 13-14 Boys. Times that previously won medals are the times that were needed to make finals this year,” said Coach Brad.
Coach Andy Copley, also a CARIFTA 2014 Coach added: "A lot of people are asking me about the medal count for our team, but really this year was not about that,” he said.
“We knew from the beginning winning medals this year was going to be tough as a huge number of our athletes were in the bottom half of their age group. I think the real stat to look at was that with a younger team, and without Geoff Butler our medals machine from last year, we still scored far more points. That comes from kids making big jumps in the rankings and getting themselves into finals. The meet was, in general, far faster this year and still we increased the number of athletes swimming in finals from last year. That's a statistic I'm really proud of and I know the other coaches are too. That's something we can really build on and look forward to next year,” he added.
It was a long, successful week and now Cayman’s young swimmers are back at school and at training for their next meet. Next on the CIASA Calendar of Events is the 27th Annual LIME 800m Sea Swim on May 10th.
The Cayman Islands Amateur Swimming Association (CIASA) is a volunteer, not for profit association dedicated to furthering the interests of all aquatic sports in the Cayman Islands. CIASA is the recognised Governing Body of aquatic sports in the Cayman Islands and is a member of FINA, UANA, CCCAN and the CIOC. For more information on CIASA please visit www.ciasa.ky.
Trimaran wins 50th Easter Regatta
(CISA): The largest fleet in recent years took to the waters on Good Friday for the 50th anniversary of the Easter Regatta Round the Island Race. The combined Cruiser and J22 fleet headed out from North Sound, headed east to East End and then along the south coast to finish off Sunset House. On Saturday they completed the circumnavigation by racing from Sunset House back to North Sound via North West Point. The Friday race was a pursuit race where boats started at different times according to their handicaps.
The slower boats set off at 7.30 in the morning and tried to stay ahead of the chasing faster boats. RogerNelson’s brand new trimaran, a Dragonfly 28, was the fasted rated boat and started last but showed why it is so highly rated by charging through the fleet over the 41 nautical mile course to take first place with a time of 7 hours and 45 minutes. Bruce Johnson’s “Blue Runner” was second and Donald McLeans “Radium” took third place.
The J22 fleet saw Mike Farrington’s “Just Leaving” take first place after a grueling nine hour race, just 8 minutes ahead of Eduardo Bernal’s “Calima”. Mark Macfee was third in “Moon struck”.
“It was such an experience to be sailing with so many other boats around you” explained Cruiser Rep, Rob Hutchison. “Round the Island is a long race and sometimes you can feel pretty isolated but this year the light winds and large fleet meant that you felt like you were sailing in company”.
The Race back on Saturday saw “Blue Runner” exact revenge on “Nelson & Co” in the cruiser fleet, whilst “Moonstruck” were overall winners on handicap.
Race sponsors, Harbour House Marina donated generous prizes and trophies for the winners. Special trophies were also awarded to the top Cruiser and top J22 in memory of Mark Clarke. The handsome trophies were designed by Eduardo Bernal and donated by Peter Cunningham and were a fitting tribute to Mark who had raced and won the round the island so many times in his sailing career.
The Prize giving at Sunset House was attended by a large number of sailors and friends who were all in festive spirit. “It’s always great to see a big fleet for the major race in the sailing calendar and although some boats lost the wind late in the day and had to retire, the taking part in a long distance race always brings a sense of achievement” reported CISC Manager Rick Caley. “Next year is the 50th anniversary of the Cayman Islands Sailing Club and so we hope that the Easter regatta will be even larger. Many thanks to all those who support us including Race Committee, who get up so early on the first day of the holiday to go out and set boats on their way and our sponsors Harbour House Marina”
For more information on Cruiser racing check out www.sailing.ky or contact admin@sailing.ky
Hurdles battle tipped as one to watch
(CNS): Four top international 400m female hurdlers will be battling it out on the Truman Bodden Track at the Cayman Invitational on 7 May. Third time returnees Tiffany Williams of the United States, Ajoke Odumosu of Nigeria and Jamaican representatives Ristananna Tracey and Shevon Stoddart are scheduled to race in the women's 400m hurdles event in what organisers said would be an exciting event, given the stature of the athletes. Meet director and international athlete Cydonie Mothersill said the race is sure to be tight.
“Although any one of this formidable foursome could stand on the top step during the victory ceremony, other possible show-stealing starters will include veteran Nickiesha Wilsonfrom Jamaica,” she said. “Every one of the competitors in the event presents an impressive list of accomplishments.”
Ajoke set the standard in 2012 with a winning mark of 55.09 seconds, but slipped to fifth last year. Tiffany upped her position from runner-up to the top spot in 2013, bringing down the record to an amazing 55.04 s. Ristananna jumped from sixth place in her first appearance to the second spot in 2013 and Shevon has finished fourth in both previous outings.
Tiffany Williams, from Miami, Florida represented the Miami Northwest Express Club in her early competitive career. She won the South-eastern Conference 400 m hurdles three times and was also a 15-time All-American while attending the University of South Carolina. She was the United States champion in the event in 2007 and 2008 and was a finalist at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Her personal best is listed at 53.28 s.
Ajoke Odumosu is the national record holder for Nigeria in the women's 400 m hurdles at 54.40s. posted in the semi-finals of the 2012 London Olympics. Prior to that achievement, she had attained several victories and other medal-winning performances at international competitions. She struck gold at the African Championships in 2008, the Commonwealth Games in 2010 and the All-Africa Games in 2011. Ajoke was a standout for the University of South Alabama track squad.
Lowering her time substantially to place second at last year's Cayman Invitational, Ristananna Tracey has a formidable record of achievements. At the World Junior Championships in 2010 she finished fifth and the following year she was victorious at the CAC Junior Championships. At the Jamaica National Championships in 2011 her second place time of 54.50 s. was noted as the second-best all-time mark in the event at the junior level.
Shevon Stoddart is another stalwart representative of the University of South Carolina. She competed for Jamaica at the 2004 Athens Olympics while still in college and later in 2008 in Beijing, where she finished fourth. She gained a third-place medal at the CAC Games in 2005 and competed in the World Championships later that year. Shevon placed fifth at the Commonwealth Games in 2006. Her best mark for the 400 m hurdles is 54.40 s. In addition, Shevon is a noted singer, songwriter and model.
Winning local riders jump into regional contest
(CNS): Isabelle Smith (Left) and Hannah Fowler will be representing the Cayman Islands in the Caribbean Equestrian Association’s Show Jumping Competition (CEA JSJC) against Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica next month after taking the U16 and U14 titles respectively in the first ever Cayman Islands Equestrian Federation last weekend. The teen riders will now be training hard in the run up to the contest next month as they turn their attention from the recent grace and style of their successful dressage games for the speed and accuracy of the jump arena.
Six riders from the Equestrian Centre (EC) and one rider from Cayman Riding School (CRS) competed in the debut local contest which Sharon Hinds, newly-elected President of CIEF said was a great experience for horses and riders.
“It is also helpful for different stables to share the load of hosting the growing number of shows in the CIEF calendar. We really appreciate all the hard work that volunteers have put in to prepare this venue for its first CIEF show and we look forward to many more here in the future.”
Visiting horses from the EC settled in easily and seemed to take their new surroundings in their stride. The random draw settled the order of go for the three rounds of competition in each of the age categories, under 16 and under 14.
Three experienced riders from the EC competed in the Under 16 age category, Thea Millward, Polly Serpell and Isabelle Smith; in the Under 14 age category, three seasoned riders from the EC, Madeliene Arquart,, Phoebe Serpell and Ashley van den Bol were joined by Hannah Fowler from CRS.
Given the new surroundings for the visiting horses, riders were asked to ride their own horses in the first round, switching onto their competitors’ horses for rounds 2 and 3.
Competition was tough as few rails fell in the opening round. Six of the seven riders jumped clear and took a clean sheet into the second round. The course changed for each round and in the second round the same six riders maintained their clean slate going into the final round. Those who remain clean in the final round,have their times from all three rounds added, with the lowest overall time bagging first place. At this stage riders always have to choose whether to gamble on the course to ‘shave’ time at the risk of forcing an error and bringing down a rail or two in the field.
Both Millward and Smith held their nerve in the final round to finish clear in the Under 16 category and Fowler, Phoebe Serpell and van den Bol followed suit in the Under 14 category leaving spectators none the wiser as to who had clinched the top spots.
They didn’t have long to wait for the announcements. Smith took first place in the Under 16 category with a combined time of 128.15 seconds and will represent Cayman in that category in the CEA JSJC against Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica next month. Millward finished second with 134.78 seconds and is the Reserve Team Member for the U16 and Polly Serpell finished third with 8 faults and a combined time of 133.20 seconds.
In the Under 14 category, Fowler took first place to win the trial in the younger age group with a combined time of 124.5 seconds. Phoebe Serpell was a close second with a time of 125.14 seconds and will be the Reserve Team Member for the U14s. In third place was van den Bol with 133.8 seconds and in fourth place was Arquart with 4 faults and a combined time of 134.05 seconds.
CIEF is actively seeking corporate sponsors to assist with staging this weekend-long event and anyone interested in sponsoring the event should contact caymansecretarygeneral@gmail.com or 916 4312.
Haines reaches 3rd way mark with 2/3 cash to go
(CNS): With two of the six marathons already under his trainers and one third of the year down, Derek Haines has bagged over $350,000 in donations leaving two-thirds of his total goal of the$1million needed to build in patient facilities at the local hospice still to go. The veteran distance runner has set himself an incredible challenge this year in the hope of raising the much needed cash for Cayman HospiceCare. Sixty-five year old Haines is planning to run six marathons around the world before the year is out and is still looking for generous sponsors to make it worth his while.
The next race is in Pamplona, Spain, on 28 June which will be close to the half way mark and as he lines up with his daughter to take on the third 26 mile plus stretch Haines will be hoping to have a half million dollars pledged to stay on track. So far he has been in fine form and completed the Paris marathon in 4 hours and 3 and the London in an even speedier 3 hours. 57 minutes.
At a recent Rotary Club lunch Peter Kandiah the former managing partner of Campbells and his wife Julia donated CI$100,000 to the project giving the fundraising a welcome boost.
“I have taken a great interest in supporting hospice over the past several years and am more than happy to support this very worthwhile project. The Cayman Islands has been very good to us in the 40 years that Julia and I have been here and it is our way of putting something back,” said Kandiah.
Haines added, “This is an extremely generous donation by Peter and Julia and brings up the total pledged or donated, thus far to $350K. I am hoping that others follow this fine example."
For more details on the six marathon challenge or how to donate visit six4hospice.com or contact Derek Haines Derek.Haines@dartcayman.com