T&T was beaten 4-2 in a kickoff by host nation Cayman Islands after both sides ended the match, deadlocked at 8-8, in the final of the North America, Caribbean Rugby Association (NACRA) Under-19 Championships 2011. At the Truman Bodden Stadium on Saturday evening, the young “Calypso Warriors” took an 8-0 advantage with a try scored by Joseph Anderson and a convergent scored by Jamal Stewart. However, both efforts were canceled out by Cayman Islands which responded with another try and penalty in the final play of regulation time. Cayman then held their defensive line, allowing T&T no chance for a further breakthrough, taking the match to a standstill at the end of full time. Cayman then proved to be the better kicking side, leaving T&T in the dust after the “Calypso Warriors” found the target on only two occasions to Cayman’s four.

The U-19 boys were 22-19 winners over Mexico on Wednesday which earned them a place in the final. Carlton St Clair, Melville Eastman scored tries, while Jamal Steward took points with a couple of converted efforts. On Monday, T&T defeated Jamaica 20-7. T&T lead 15-0 at half time with an assertive performance but slumped to a more sloppy display in the second half. Olton Charles impressed with three tries while Brandon Scotland also touched the white line with a try of his own.

T&T was more impressive in the Women’s final, as the team lifted the trophy following a resounding victory over Cayman Islands 50-0 on Friday. Dalia Jordon Brown, Tanesha Samuels, Latoya Edwards, Alesha Bruce, Talia Wislon and Nicolette Pantor scored tries for the 2009 Caribbean Champions T&T along with the tournament’s outstanding player, fly half Juliana Straker who also converted four efforts and was awarded the “Most Valuable Player”. Straker also scored three tries in T&T’s comfortable win over Jamaica in the semi final of the women’s competition on Tuesday.

share/save

The FIFA vice president said that history had been made by the Cayman Islands being one of the four Caribbean countries that will be represented in the competitions.

“It is indeed a great pleasure to extend heartiest congratulations to you on the qualification of the Women’s U-17 team, the first team ever from the Cayman Islands to qualify for any major tournament in the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF),” he said.

Mr Scotland also congratulated the U-17 team on the win on Saturday, 12 December. “By becoming the first-ever national football team to make it to the second round of the World Cup qualifiers, they have firmly played their way into the history books,” he said.

His message continued: “It was a nail biting match, but their hard work, dedication and perseverance certainly paid off. I applaud Coach Bobby McLaren and the Cayman Islands Football Association (CIFA) Women’s Technical Director Thiago Cunha for standing by their team through thick and thin, and for teaching the players to compete with enthusiasm and win with grace.”

Mr Warner, in his letter addressed to the Cayman Islands Football Association (CIFA) president Jeffrey Webb, said the investment from FIFA, CONCACAF and the CFU had borne fruit.

“The euphoria in the Cayman Islands must be great. In qualifying for the CONCACAF U-17 World Cup Qualifiers you have indeed raised the bar and sent a positive signal to the rest of the teams in the Caribbean Football Union,” said Mr Warner. “I am pleased that the Cayman Islands finally will represent our Union at the CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers. I extend my best wishes to the team and my heartiest congratulations to you, Mr President. Let me also offer greetings of the Holiday Season to you, your family and the entire football family with best wishes for a happy, successful and prosperous
2010,” he added.

The Minister of Sports said that he also commended the CIFA for always demonstrating an unwavering belief in our young football players. “Above all, the weekend’s win proves once again that Cayman’s athletes have the talent and resolve to make their mark on the sports arena, both locally and further afield.

“I wish the team the best of luck in all their future games as they are heading to the CONCACAF Under 17 Women’s Championships next March in Costa Rica. Let us all support them as they prepare with this event, especially as they will be up against the defending champions, the United States, hosts Costa Rica, and Haiti,” Mr Scotland said.

share/save

Vibe 98.9 even showed up to provide a live broadcast, hoping to help out their team, the Vibe Powa Slam.

The Spin Ballaz took home the opening season title, defeating a very strong Goldfield Empire squad led by team captain Travis Webb and co-captain Johann Josephs.  Webb commented after the game, “I thought the entire tournament was a great experience and fun all around.  It was a disappointing loss, but our team played very well and should be proud”.

Coach Fareed Hosein refereed the games and was impressed with the progress these players had made.

“The level of play is quite high, and the players quickly learned the finer points of the game.  It was fun coaching and taking part in this inaugural beach volleyball league put on by Cayman Sports Authority,” said the coach.

Spin Ballaz Captain Maggie Greenwood was ecstatic after her team’s victory. She was also named the tournament’s most sportsmanlike player. Brennan Ebanks, the team’s star player, was named the tournament’s top male player for his stellar performance over the past eight weeks.  His performance was crucial to the Ballaz taking the league’s top honours.

As the day came to a close, Coach Carl Brenton shared his reflections of the initial season: “The programme was a lot of fun for the coaches and the kids. I was very happy with the great attitudes that the kids had and how much fun they had playing.  We have some really gifted athletes in the program and I hope that they want to keep playing next season.”

Being crowned champion of the beach was not the only honour the teams were vying for. Cayman Sports Authority, the tournament organizers, donated a $1,000 cash prize that was not tied to the teams’ athletic abilities.

Winning the championship game did not count towards this prize. To compete, teams earned points by having teammates and family members clean up West Bay Cemetery Beach. Additional points were earned by having as many friends & family post comments on individual team pages provided by www.csa.ky.

At the end of the day, it was Vibe Powa Slam that earned the most points and the coveted prize.

The inaugural season for Cayman Sports Authority’s High School Beach Volleyball League was part of a test phase for CSA’s upcoming School Fitness Program. The programme’s goals were definitely achieved: create activities that get kids active, excited and involved. Over the past eight weeks, these teenagers supported their teams, got active, and helped on community projects.

Cayman Sports Authority and the Cayman Islands Volleyball Federation plan to expand the second season to include other high school this winter.

Ray Singh, Athletic Director of King’s Sports Centre and Cayman Sports Authority, “thoroughly enjoyed watching the final week of the season.  The kids had a blast, and that was the whole point.  We’re looking forward to being able to operate programs very similar to the Paramount High School Beach Volleyball League in the fall, with the introduction of the new school fitness program.  Our fitness-based sports model will go miles towards offering Cayman’s kids healthier options. Thanks again to the Paramount Group for their support. They have helped to pave the way for a brighter Cayman.”

Cayman Sports Authority and the Cayman Islands Parks & Recreation Department would like to thank the following participants who helped with the clean-up: Maggie Greenwood, Kimberly Carlos, Taylor Clarke-Wint, Sheyla Torres, Kenrick McField, Mitchell Forbes, Nassaria Thompson, Kristoff Powell, Esther Ebanks, Robert Jackson, Devin Ebanks, Nicholas Douce, Ackiel Williams, & Brian Espino.

share/save

Allyson Felix – USA – 21.88
Debbie Ferguson – BAH – 22.23
Kerron Stewart – JAM – 22.72
Marshevet Hooker – USA – 22.84
Laverne Jones – ISV – 23.15
Cydonie Mothersill – CAY – 23.27
Alexandria Anderson – USA – 23.32
Yuliya Chermonshanskaya – RUS – 23.70

share/save

T&T, ranked fifth, will take confidence from the victory over the side ranked one spot higher than them, but they should face a much tougher challenge against second-ranked Mexico, last year’s runners-up, who shut out debutants Bermuda 33-0.

Jamaica, ranked third and the 2007 winners, were impressive in a 34-9 thrashing of newcomers Bahamas, while hosts and defending champions Cayman Islands, the tournament favourites, had an opening day bye.

The competition continues today, with the Bahamas meeting Bermuda, while T&T and Mexico go at it from 3 p.m., and the home side face Jamaica at 4.30 p.m.

The Championship enters the semi-final stage tomorrow. The winners of the tournament will qualify for the 2010 IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy.

share/save

Given little space to operate, the Boyz were only able to summon flashes of brilliance. Of note were Austin’s attacking play in the midfield which on more than one occasion, carved holes in the Cayman defense. Despite these occasions, the Cayman team through efforts from Horace Nelson, defended stoutly to keep the competition close. The opening goal came from a splendid bit of team work that saw the attack build in defense and finished off with a beautiful cross from Vernon to find the arriving head of Cummings. The margin was made 2-0 when a clinical pass that split the Cayman defense was finished off just as clinically by Dean. The margin stayed at 2-0 until the game ended.

share/save

Here is the lineup for the match:
Guadeloupe: 2. Meddy Lina, 4. Fabien Jerome, 5. Cedric Collet (8. Gregory Gendrey min 58), 6. Alain Vertot, 9. Loduic Gotin, 11. Michael Antoine-Curier( Gregory Gendrey min 68), 12. David, Fleurival (10. M Gomez min 73),13. J.Luc Lambourde, 15. Miguel Comminges, 16. Marius Fausta, 17. Lery Hanany

Subs: 5. Thomas Elliot, 10. Ercksen Brown, 12. Mario Dinnall, 17. Nikolai Hill

share/save

Even though Mexico had the better start with Christian Hennings kicking a penalty in the first minute, Cayman responded with vigour through their forwards Daniel McGrath and Gulliame Hammersley. The pair helped to make it 7-3 at the half. After that Cayman did not look back. They dominated much of the match with fly half Joel Clarke pinning Mexico in their own 22. Scrum half Michael Wilson scored his side’s second try to make it 17-3. Taron Forbes sealed the deal to secure Cayman’s place in an IRB international 15 a side tournament for the first time.

share/save