Sports
Raptors and ravens soar to touch glory
(CTU): On a balmy Saturday night in Camana Bay the great and good of the wonderful sport of Touch came together to celebrate and contest the Finals of the Men’s Touch League 2014 and the Millennium Falcons Women’s Touch League 2014. In the Men’s Tournament the first semi-final was between the Raptors and the Samurais. Both teams had some notable absentees and so late additions to the playing roster proved vital in the outcome. The first half was played at a breakneck speed and the quality on show was impressive. The ball fizzed around as both teams tried to break through well-drilled defences.
The half time score of 0-0 belied the fact that this was some top-quality touch. Players were running on fumes toward the end and eventually the breakthrough came in the dying minutes when Riley Mullen and Scott MacDonald put the Samurais to the sword with dynamic running to score sending the Raptors into raptures and into the Final.
In the second Semi-final the Stallions took on the Wolverines – a real Goliath versus David situation. Stallions were seeded 1 having finished on top of the league table and the Wolverines hadn’t won a game all tournament. Stallions were quietly (but verbally) confident that a trip to the Final was there for the taking.
As the game started both teams were making impressive yardage with their early settles but gaps were starting to show and both squandered gilt-edged chances through either a stray forward pass or by dropping the ball in the act of scoring. It was Neil Montgomery, the Wolverines Captain, who started to pull the strings and he opened the scoring with a fine solo effort. Learning all his skills from his father Peter, reputedly one of the best young scrum-halves in Western Cape, Monty has been the heartbeat of this Wolverines team. As the pressure increased they doubled their lead with a nippy effort from their newbie Sandipan Bhomik. Stallions captain Ian Smith pulled one back but Mark Robson’s superb jinking run from all of half a metre out just after the break gave some day light between the teams. Further scores from Dennis Lee (Stallions) and Montgomery again kept the scoreboard ticking but Stallions became increasingly frustrated with their inability to break the Wolverines solid defence. A 4-2 shock win for Wolverines and they were into the final.
The Final itself proved a step too far for Wolverines. Raptors, marshalled by their Captain Marc Randall, may play more as individuals than as a team but the quality of those individuals meant that it was one-way traffic for much of the game. Stand-out performances from Riley Mullen and Chris Palmer who plays Touch like a virtuoso tinkling the ivories to a Mozart Piano Concerto meant that tries came at regular intervals. Wolverines had adopted an innovative rehydration programme both before the game and at half time but the extra fluids did not seem to impart any beneficial effect to their performance – a scant penalty try being the only return for all their endeavour.
As they pressed in the second-half two interceptions and breakout tries killed the game. So, Randall’s Raptors deservedly took the final 7-1 with scores to Mullen (3), Iain Currie, Chris Palmer and Richard Kerr.
The Samurais beat the Stallions 5-3 in the Third/Fourth place Play-Off, a disappointing end to a table-topping season for the Stallions.
In the Millennium Falcons Women’s League 2014 the first semi-final saw Ebon Hawk take on Eagle Transporter. The Hawks soaked up some early pressure from the Eagles but always looked like they had a bit extra when they needed it. Choreographed by Jane Smith, who from dummy half managed to make several line-breaks only to lack the vital support for the offloading pass, the Hawks exerted the pressure needed to break the Eagles defence.
Boasting a trio of Cayman National hopefuls in Smith, Kate Scarff and Jo Ziegler(2) they kept the score board turning over, Scarff scoring with a sublime dummy pass to wrong-footed the defender and score. The standout moment came from young Molly Kehoe who was the subject of much debate in the days prior to the Finals to see who could capture her signature to play on their roster. The Hawks won that battle and were well rewarded with an excellent performance and a try as well. The Eagles, with Karen Hart and Sharlee Henshaw making major yardage in the early phases of play could not convert their chances, their only visit across the whitewash by Carmel Harms and so a final score of 5-1 saw the Hawks go through.
The second semi-final was a much closer affair as Millennium Falcons took on Raven’s Claw. A fine brace from Emma Santiago and a score from Marida Montgomery were not quite enough to see off the experience of the Ravens. Tries were evenly spread across the decades with one each for Katie Bayles, Jo Remillard, Lisa Kehoe and Caroline Deegan – Raven’s Claw winning 4-3.
The final between Ebon Hawk and Raven’s Claw was a scintillating affair. Ebb and Flow, Cut and Thrust, Lunge and Parry may sound like the cheesy names of 1950’s British Comedy Duos but in fact accurately describe the way this game pulsated. But it was Raven’s Claw that ultimately pierced the Hawk flesh and with that same quartet of scorers (Deegan, Remillard, Kehoe (2) and Bayles) they managed to pip the Hawk to the Grand Prize, with Lisa Kehoe (only just) managing to outsprint daughter Molly for a try from halfway. A double for Kate Scarff and two for Karlie Cross were not quite enough to catch the Ravens who were jubilant at the final whistle but humble enough to know they had been in a real battle.
The Millennium Falcons beat the Eagle Transporters 2-0 in the Third/Fourth place Play-Off. The Eagles were quicker to the ruck but struggled on 4th and 5th touch options. Emma Santiago scored both for the Falcons and a breakaway sprint with Sharlee Henshaw in hot pursuit was the defining score in the game.
In a nice touch, no pun intended, Jane Smith (Ebon Hawk) and Neil Montgomery (Wolverines) were voted most valuable players in their respective leagues.
So, the RAPTORS and the RAVENS soar to touch glory at the conclusion of these tournaments. Some might say a shock given the form over the whole season but they certainly stepped up when it mattered most – on Finals Day.
KPMG2 win over Trident
(CRFU): In a pulsating match against Trident last night KPMG2 ran out worthy winners 4-1. The game fizzed with energy and verve and it was Jean-Luc who opened the scoring with a burst of blistering speed down the right wing. Much like his Star Trekking namesake Captain Picard, Jean-Luc amped up the dilithium crystals and went to warp Factor 9 and sped through the Neutral Zone to outpace the retreating defence. It was his second try in only his second game of Touch so that’s pretty impressive. "Make it so!" shouted his teammates. And so he did.
This was quickly followed on by a snappy double from the hot Latino Miguel Lopez. Think of a cross between Enrique Iglesias and Marc Anthony and you get the idea. He largely fashioned these scores himselfwith his customary mazy meanderings through a defence that had more holes in it than a Michael Bey Transformers plot.
Three-nil down at half-time and Trident looked beaten, but step forward their sartorially elegant Manager/Coach in the form of Brad Stephenson. Bestriding the touch line in a designer shirt and trousers (or pants to you North Americans) this cross between Don Draper and George Clooney is smart in both attire AND tactical awareness. He rallied his troops and so the second half was a different story. The gaps were tightened and with excellent defence from Jenna Mungall, Lauren Sonnen and Rosie Forbes, coupled with the attacking exploits of Kirk Lamwright and Simon Watson, Trident started to force the game and came close on several occasions with just an errant final pass letting them down.
Ian Robertson of KPMG2 then managed to sneak through the tiniest of gaps to make it 4-0. KPMG2 were often orchestrated on the pitch by Ben Blair who would spin, shimmy and salsa his way in front of defenders like a C List celebrity in front of the Dancing with the Stars judges, only to suddenly stop still as if he suddenly remembered he’d forgotten to turn the oven off and wait for the eventual oncoming touch.
Trident did not give up. Having worked several moves down their right wing they eventually managed to score through their newly-recruited winger Kelly “Try-Machine” Haaksma. This was her second try in three games giving her a highly respectable .660 scoring average She provided genuine width to the Trident attacks and was rewarded with her score in the dying minutes.
And so KPMG2 advance up the table but Trident can take heart from their second half performance as the season draws toward the final stages.
Zolfo Cooper and GCMbattle for top spot
(CFU): The 2014 Corporate Summer Touch Rugby League is now two-thirds of the way through the season and in the SOCIAL Division things are starting to hot up. This year the sport of Touch is growing more than ever in these islands and in the secondary Division, also known as the “SOCIAL DIVISION” teams are largely made up of players who are either new to the sport, or who like their touch rugby a bit more relaxed these days.
After ten rounds in the Thrilla in Manilla, Ali and Frazier were almost inseparable on points and history seems to be repeating itself after Round 10 with the two heavyweights in this Division still slugging it toe-to-toe with nine wins and one defeat apiece.
On top of the table is Zolfo Cooper who went nine straight games without defeat. Scoring at will, and getting into double figures at times, this team has shown some real ball handling skills and a soft-shoe shuffle that would make Mohammed Ali look like a leaden-footed deep sea diver. It is form that could see them elevated to the top Division come next season. However, they were stung to their first defeat of the season (5-8) by the floating butterflies that are the all-girl team of Maples Mavens.
A point behind them is GCM who play with a hustle-and-bustle style typified by Niall O’Sullivan and Fiona Brander. They too have only lost one game, a default against KPMG2, and have by far the meanest defence in the league. Their table-topping clash with Zolfo Cooper is looming on the horizon and both teams will be looking to get a full strength team on the pitch for that one. Will they be able to deliver the knockout blow or will they rope-a-dope Zolfo and hit them with a sucker punch at the end? Tune in fight fans – August 29th – not on PPV but live at the South Sound Rugby Ground!
DMS are not far behind in third and will rue their 2-4 defeat to the league leaders. In close games like that it’s important to take your chances and they just couldn’t convert when they had the ball.
LIME is always entertaining to watch and currently sit fourth in the standings. Managed by the effusive and effervescent Mark Woollard this team bubbles and sparkles around the pitch. A couple of defeats along the way but a cracking 7-4 win over Appleby elevated them to fourth and really laid down a marker for the rest of the teams in this Division.
Tying with LIME on 32 points is Rawlinson & Hunter. Only defeated twice, with both losses to the top two in the Division, this team is marshalled by the evergreen Conrad Proud. And he should be proud of his teammates who have put in a sterling effort so far this year.
Appleby starting strongly and have some fine players on their roster but have lost their way of late with two defeats and a draw in their last three. The loss in The “Fruit Cup” to LIME left Appleby feeling sour as they seemed to run out of juice towards the end.
UBS and Baraud are tied on 26 points and both have played some useful rugby at times. UBS games feature plenty of tries both for and against but their defence is the better of the two teams as Baraud have allowed too many scores against.
Maples Mavens have sustained a few defeats but with notable victories over Zolfo Cooper and Queensgate they know that they can cause a few problems for any team out there.
Trident started the season with a fine win over the Mavens but then suffered six defeats in row. Tough for any team to take but their showed real strength of character and resolve to come back with a two-game winning streak. Their delight at scoring tries resembles a kid seeing his presents for the first time under the tree on Christmas Morning – their last performance a 9-3 rout of Grant Thornton. Ding Dong Merrily on High!
BDO are a team with players getting to know the game and they have managed only two wins so far seeing off Conyers Dill & Pearman 2-0 and Walkers Blue Hatchlings 4-1. This will stand them in good stead moving forwards.
Now Conyers Dill & Pearlman may sound like an old AOR band from the mid 70’s which currently resides in the “Where Are They Now?” file but make no mistake this merry band led by the rosy cheeked Michael Mulligan have a never-say-die approach to touch rugby. Seven straight defeats on the bounce would be terminal for most teams but not CD&P who turned things around with a storming 3-0 win over Walker Blue Hatchlings. The fact Captain Mulligan was absent should in no way be considered as part of the reason for the upturn in fortunes ;-).
Queensgate, Walkers Blue Hatchlings and Grant Thornton prop up the bottom of the table with 13 points each. Queensgate traditionally have an eclectic bunch but are having fun scoring tries if not winning games. Walkers Blue Hatchlings have suffered from a lack of experience and numbers but did record a notable 3-2 victory over Maples Mavens. Grant Thornton could easily be mistaken for a company that has been making awesome confectionery for over a hundred years (tagline for the TV ad… “Mmmm… Grant Thornton.
Purveyors of the finest chocolate liqueurs since 1895”) but this assurance, tax, and advisoryfirm may have an instinct for growth in the business world but in the touch rugby world their stock has plummeted. Only 16 tries in 13 games (8 of which came as a result of an 8-0 award for a default match) is scant return on their investment, but better days are surely ahead as they seek their first real victory of the season.
Young Brackers learn tennis basics
(TFCI): Tennis on the Brac is gently flourishing. Two years ago there was barely a child on the Sister Island who’d ever tried their hand at tennis. Now it’s part of introductory PE lessons in the primary and high schools, and many Brac youngsters regularly enjoy thwacking a ball around a court. It was thanks to sponsorship from Walkers, the international law firm, that a tennis pro from Grand Cayman, Adam Bayley, made the first coaching trip to the island in 2012. His visit was a hit, with children coming from all corners of the island to learn a new sport. “The programme grew from there,” explained Eliza Harford, head of the Tennis Federation of the Cayman Islands, which oversees the Brac programme.
“With continued support from Walkers, we’ve now evolved to weekend coaching clinics, which are run by Noel Watkins of Cayman Tennis Academy. Noel’s been over a couple of times in the past six months, and has two more trips planned before Christmas.”
Watkins has not only taught students, he’s also trained Brac PE teachers, plus sports enthusiasts Sue and Mike Hundt, to coach the sport, with the result that introductory tennis is now part of the PE curriculum. The game is taught using portable nets (slightly lower than a standard tennis net), plus shorter racquets and slower-than-standard balls, which make the game really easy to pick up.
“Most beginners learn to rally, serve and score in their very first lesson,” explained Watkins. “It’s a great system, strongly endorsed by the International Tennis Federation.”
In another major step forward, Hundt has organised for the Brac high school court to be resurfaced. With a new tennis net and posts waiting to be installed in time for the start of term in September, and with a hitting wall at one end of the court, young people on the Brac should soon have use of a full-sized, floodlit court. The Walkers sponsorship will cover the cost of new adult racquets and a supply of standard balls, noted Watkins.
“The Brac kids are incredibly enthusiastic, and some show great promise,” he added. “Progress is steady and encouraging, and it’s obvious the students have been practising between coaching sessions.”
Cayman lets lead slip away against favourites
(CNS): Cayman may have stunned their Jamaican opponents and their home crowd on Monday night when Leo Ebanks opened the scoring against the favourites just five minutes into the match followed two minutes later by a second goal from Elijah Seymour but they were unable to hold onto the surprising advantage. In the end the national team lost five three to Jamaica on match day two of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Under 17 Boys Group 1 qualifiers at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex.
The Jamaicans responded to the Cayman attack and in the 15th minute Alex Marshall puled the first goal back and a second just three minutes later to even the score board. However, Cayman’s Captain Zachary Scott gave his side the advantage again when he scored in the 25th minute.
The young squad was however unable to maintain the lead when Jamaica lifted the pace and were rewarded with Marshall getting his second goal in the 62 minute to one again level the score. Ajeanie Talbot got the lead in the 75th before Marshall scored his hat-trick and game clincher in the 92nd minute of play.
In the other match in Group one Guadeloupe defeated the US Virgin Islands 5-0 while Cayman will take on that team Wednesday evening hoping to pick up at least 3 points before they are out of the tournament.
Underdogs ride to historic medal place at youth games
(CNS): Local horse-rider Polly Serpell, who is representing the Cayman Islands at the Youth Olympics in China, has made history as part of an unknown equestrian team and snagged a bronze medal for the country’s trophy cabinet and its first ever YOG medal in Equestrian. Serpell competed in the team event on 20 August representing North America, along with Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala and Dominican Republic. The team rode to third place bagging a bronze medal, despite being the underdogs in the showjumping contest. “I still can’t believe it. Me and my team are over the moon and I’m just so excited,” Serpell said.
The European team took gold and silver went to the South America team but 16-year-old Serpell and her team mates, Macarena Chiriboga Granja (Ecu), Sabrina Rivera Meza (Esa), Stefanie Brand (Gua) and Maria Gabriela Brugal (Dom), were delighted with their third place.
Hoping that nerves would not get the better of her, she had a rough start on the first day when she fell off the horse she is riding in China, Giorgio Zan. But the entire team held its ground on the second day and walked away with zero penalties.
“We came in unknown, an underdog, so we proved ourselves,” said Equestrian coach Mary Alberga. “Polly scored and tied for first in the overall in our team, she came tied at the number one position in team, so we have really stepped up to the plate.”
The Cayman Islands Olympic Committee commended Serpell and the team for the historic achievement. “This is truly a great moment for the CIOC and we would like to thank all of our top sponsors,” the committee stated in a release.
Swim club invites kids to try out for next season
(CNS): The Stingray Swim Club will be holding try outs for the 2014-2015 swimming year over the next two Wednesdays. Startng this week at 4pm on 27 August and then next Wednesday, 3 Sept kids who would like to join the club are asked to show up at the Lion's Pool. There is no fee to try out but swimmers must demonstrate their ability to swim 25 meters freestyle with bi-lateral breathing, (breathing on both sides comfortably) 25 meters backstroke, 25 meters breaststroke with legal kick as well as knowing the streamline position and the dolphin kick.
The invitation to try out for the team is also contingent on available space in the appropriate level as well as the skills of the swimmers.
Officials from the club said that passing the swim test does not automatically mean that all kids will get a place but they hope to find appropriate swim programmes at the Lion’s pool that suit the abilities of all of the young people that try out.
Cayman U17 boys lose 3-0 to Guadeloupe in CFU
(CNS): Despite including a significant number of players from last year’s U15 team which made a great showing at the 2013 CONCACAF tournament, the chances of Cayman’s U17 national football team making it through to the CFU finals next month in Haiti were narrowed on Saturday night when the boys lost 3-0 to Guadalope in their opening match in Jamaica. Facing the favourites this evening who will be in front of a home crowd at the Anthony Spaulding Complex, Kingston at 7pm, the Cayman boys will have a very tough time taking any points from that fixture.
Although the Cayman boys played well in the first half on Saturday they were unable to find the back of the net. In the second half, Guadeloupe grew in confidence when Heindrix Julius opened the scoring in the 54th minute. Sylguy Theo Fumont doubled Guadeloupe's advantage in the 79th from the penalty spot and a minute later Dylanne Julien Bordin solidified Cayman’s defeat.
Meanwhile, Jamaica trounced the US Virgin Islands in a staggering 19-0 defeat when Donavan Dawkins scored seven goals. Justin McMaster scored four and Alex Marshall made a hattrick. Other goal scorers were Nicholas Nelson who scored two Tajea Brown, Ajeanie Talbot and Deshane Beckford.
The final match for what is a tough group for the Cayman team takes place on Wednesday afternoon at 4pm against the US Virgin Islands.
Local football on the up and up, say officials
(CNS): The Cayman Islands Football Association (CIFA) has enjoyed a very positive year having hosted a number of youth development tournaments, seen investment in football infrastructure and an improvement in its financials which has allowed the association to increase the prize money given in the local football league and tournaments by 30%. In the past year the Cayman Islands has hosted the inaugural CONCACAF Boys’ U-15, last August the CONCACAF Womens’ U-20 Championships in January. 2014 and the Girls’ U-15 just this month. It has also focused on developing grassroots youth football but officials said the programme needs more volunteer coaches to keep it going.
At the recent annual Congress CIFA President Jeffrey Webb, who is also the CONCACAFF president and FIFA Vice president highlighted positive improvements in the association’s financial statements, infrastructure upgrading, hosting of international competitions and player development.
“CIFA has made significant progress in the past twelve months, both on and off the field of play,” Webb said. “We have created several opportunities for our players and officials at every level and we continue to see the benefits from these investments.
“The investments in facilities development by the government has helped CIFA in bidding and successfully hosting CONCACAF competitions,” Webb added. He said, “The Championships have provided us the opportunity to engage new sponsors, solidify our long term relationships with Maples and Calder, DART and Foster’s and expand our revenue streams. As a result CIFA has rebounded from difficult financial times. We must remain on this upward trend.”
The clubs are the immediate beneficiaries from CIFA’s improving financial stature. CIFA has increased the prize money for the premier league by 30 percent and provided an additional bonus to clubs in good standing with the association.
Reigning Men’s Premier League winners Bodden Town FC received the winner’s cheque of seven thousand five hundred ($7,500) dollars. In 2015, the Premiership winners will receive ten thousand ($10,000) dollars.
With the objective of improving club participation and performance CIFA will also implement the CONCACAF Club Licensing program in the next twelve months with an aim of bringing local clubs in line with best practices regionally. The Club Licensing programme helps clubs improve their administrative structure and processes which CIFA hopes will impact the quality of play on the field.
In the past year CIFA has engineered a focus on youth player development through the Grassroots Programme. Programme Director Darrel Rankine reported that over 550 children registered in the programme in the last term February to June. Legal firm Maples and Calder sponsors programme, which targets 6-12 year olds and is centered on creating fun and engaging exercises that will encourage greater participation while introducing fundamental technical skills.
“We have made great strides this year, with a steady growth in numbers,” Rankine said, however he warned that the growth would be hampered if more qualified and interested coaches don’t become involved. “We need more young players and coaches interested to usher this next generation of football players into the future. Without good coaching we will not develop good players on the pitch and solid citizens off it.”
The new initiatives reported on at the congress are all part of CIFA’s overall strategic plan. After months of consultation with stakeholders and the inclusion of recommendations from a task force that reviewed all leagues and competitions; the official strategic plan document was presented to the Congress by Mark Scotland, CIFA’s Youth Development Director.
The main objective of the strategic plan is to provide a road map for the sport’s development at all levels in the Cayman Islands.
Local athletes begin competition at Youth Olympics
(CNS): Cayman’s five athletes are getting down to work in China at the 2nd edition of the Youth Olympic Games being held in Najing. Cayman is represented in athletics, equestrian, gymnastics and sailing. Following the opening ceremony on Saturday when sailor Florence Allan carried the flag for the Cayman Islands among more than 200 represented nations, Morgan Lloyd (left) was the first of team Cayman to compete. Lloyd achieved personal best results in the floor exercise and the vault in the women’s all-around gymnastic competition with a total score of 41.250 a substantial improvement from her previous personal best of 39.334.
The sailing competition kicked off on Monday but with little wind to work with, in the Men's Byte CII Pablo Bertran placed 19th in race 1 and 27th in race 2. Florence Allan placed 9th and 25th respectively in the Women's Byte CII races. On the second day Bertran and Allan, sailed conservatively and Bertran now sits 26th in the men’s and Allan 21st in the female fleet. She said. “It’s a really good competition. I’m having loads of fun and it’s really cool to meet everybody and have a really good competition.”
Bertran’s who was injured before the games said he had returned to the boat for the first time for the games.
“I was pushing my knees and every day I wore it down. It was not so much hiking in the boat, just overuse and pushing it. It was injured a week out before and the first time I sailed after that was here in China,” he added. Bertran also fought hard for position in the light breeze on Lake Jinniu, 70km out of Nanjing and finished 20th and 22nd in the day’s two races.
Polly Serpell who is riding Georgio Zan, an 8 year old Belgium warm blood horse in the Equestrian events began her team competition today with regional riders in an event that will take place over two days, with the individual jumping event following a rest period, starting on 23 August.
Serpell is the first equestrian to represent the Cayman Islands at the Youth Olympics and despite sitting her exams this summer she has been training intensively with friends lending her their horses for her to gain as much borrowed horse experience as possible. Serpell has had three days training on the horse she is riding at the competition.
Pearl Morgan will be running the 200m on Friday 22 August with the heats starting at 20:35 (CST). She will also be a part of a mixed 8x100m relay on 26 August at 16:00. The young athlete said training has been going well and training sessions at the Olympic stadium started today to allow the young sprinter to focus on starts and the stadium environment.
Alongside their training and competition the young people take part in a number of cultural and education programmes covering healthy cooking, environmental protection, digital media, agriculture and the Olympic Journey.
Reporter Jade Webster was also sent to Nanjing to take part in the Young Reporter’s programme which she described as amazing
In the first few days Webster said she has written athletic profiles on past Olympians, attended guest speaker sessions with the President of the International Olympic Committee himself and represented the Young Reporters Programme at a press conference, where she spoke about her passion of becoming a better journalists. This week she will be attending intensive training courses in all fields of journalism (Magazine Editoials, Broadcast, Text and Social Media), with mentors from around the world, including CCN Journalist Tracey Holmes, Photographer Nick Didlick and Head of the IOC Media Operations Anthony Edgar.
Webster is staying at the Youth Olympic village with the athletes, normally journalists wouldn't be allowed to stay in the village, so this is a rare and fortunate opportunity.
"This is the real deal, this is no 'mini Olympics'” she added.