The Cayman Islands Field Hockey Club flew home tired but triumphant after a recent two-day tournament in Kingston, Jamaica recentlyh. Cayman’s team – 15 men, and six women- played four matches, winning two and drawing two. Cayman’s opponents were a mixture of members from the St. Andrew and Munro College hockey clubs and the club also played in an Invitation XI against the Jamaican national women’s team, giving them tough opposition in preparation for Jamaica’s next game against Cuba in the Pan American Games.
The first game, between the Cayman men’s XI and the St. Andrew’s and Munro Vets XI, took place after a night of strict abstinence by the Cayman contingent. From the beginning, Cayman were at a distinct disadvantage: the smooth, full-sized Astroturf pitch in Kingston was much faster and almost twice the size of the field used for practice in Cayman and the Jamaicans were accordingly fitter and faster, with quick stick work attuned to the faster pitch.
In the tightly fought first half, the determined Cayman men had the edge and came close to scoring several times before Aaron Gardner, off balance, nevertheless managed to net the ball from the back of the circle. Cayman clung on to their lead in the second half as clouds broke and torrential rain flooded the pitch, making play difficult and scoring virtually impossible for the remainder of the match. Cayman held on to win 1-0.
In the forward line for Cayman, ably supporting one another with deft stick work, speed and aggressive tackling were fleet-of-foot Harold Forte, captain Nigel Bates, canny Simon Barwick, Mark Williams, renowned for his solo runs, Alister Carter, front-runners Sarah Pinches and Eliza Strachan.
Standing up well to the pressure from the opposition’s forwards were halves Aaron Gardner, the ever mobile Jamie Ware, Andrew Cousins and Dylan King, both noted for speed and stamina, strong all-rounder Simon Palmer, Sahana Vaidya, always in the right place at the right time, Leigh Bottomley, ever-steady Bryony Platt, and Harriet Martin. Holding the back line were Harcourt Wason, a great reader of the game, Simon Garnett and super-dependable Alton Davis.
Taking turns in goal were veteran Ivan Burges and hockey newcomer James Robertson. Burges maintained his reputation and made several fine saves, while Robertson impressed by keeping out a number of dangerous shots under pressure.
Bates was the hero of the hour in the second game, Cayman Mixed XI versus St. Andrew’s and Munro Mixed. In what was to become a trademark manoeuvre, Bates subbed himself on 15 minutes into the game and was promptly up-ended by the Jamaican goalie after a shot at goal. Bates earned his revenge with a cracking goal two minutes later, again from the back of the circle. Having drawn first blood, he then immediately subbed himself off to give another player some match play. Not to be outdone, the Jamaicans came back with a fine goal of their own, leaving the final score at 1-1.
Cayman’s players had their work cut out in a friendly game against the Jamaican women national team the following morning. Cayman were joined by members of the Jamaican Hockey Federation All-Stars, and together they gave the women a good work out. In the end, though, the reggae girls proved a little faster and fitter and edged two goals past the Allstars XI’s defenders to win 2-0.
Sunday’s second game was another hard fought battle between Cayman and Jamaican mixed teams. Having adjusted to both the pitch and their opponents’ style of play, Cayman raised their game to produce some skilful, fluent hockey. Both teams held nothing back and the large number of players who were knocked flat to the ground during the game bore witness to the ferocity and speed of tackles. Once again, Bates led the way for Cayman and picking up another masterful pass from Mark Williams, he sliced through the Jamaican defence to produce a stylish early goal. Bates then subbed himself off, allowing Jamie Ware into the attack. Ware took only a few minutes to consolidate Cayman’s lead with a cleanly hit shot from the edge of the circle. Despite a heroic effort from the Jamaicans, the score remained at 2-0 providing Cayman with their second win of the tournament.
The fifth and final game saw a return match between Cayman men’s XI and the St. Andrew and Munro Vets. After a full weekend of tough sport, Cayman looked weary, minds were willing but legs less so. Nevertheless, both sides put on a decent performance with a good sprinkling of close encounters around both goals. Whilst either team could have been lucky and taken this match, Cayman goalie Burges maintained his clean sheet and the Cayman forwards were unable to break through a strong Jamaican defence. The end result was an honourable 0-0 draw.
At the closing ceremony, Bates thanked the Jamaican Hockey Federation, in particular, Dinsdale Laing and Myrtle Weir for their flawless organisation of the event and went on to recognise other key individuals whose contribution had ensured that the weekend went without a hitch – Jamaican Hockey Federation president Victor Tomlinson, secretary Andrea Stephenson, umpiring and technical officer Valerie Hall, ladies national team manager Audrey Gaynor and Cayman field hockey club president, Brian Uzzell, who could not be there having been forced to temporarily hang up his hockey stick.
Having returned triumphant, preparations are now underway for a return tournament with Cayman hosting the Jamaicans in May.
The club meets every Tuesday at 5pm at Cayman Prep School on Smith Road and every Saturday at 6pm at Camana Bay, Sports Field. Everyone is welcome, ladies and gents of all ages, abilities and standards. For more information, call club captain Nigel Bates on 926 1107 or email [email protected]
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