The Cayman Islands men’s national rugby team left it all on the pitch, but their efforts came up short against the Mexicans, who edged out the local side 20-10.
The Mexico team earned the victory Friday, 31 May, at the ‘Big Game X’ in front of hundreds of spectators at the Truman Bodden Sports Complex, ultimately avenging their 35-14 loss to Cayman in their test match in 2022.
“It was difficult for us,” Mexico’s eighth man, Sebastian Diaz Galvan, said after the match. “We haven’t had so much luck coming here to the Cayman Islands in the past, but I think we have worked on our mentality and our thoughts and we put [in] all the work, and the results came our way this time.”
Mexico led early after a try and a conversion put them 7-0 up. Both teams would secure points, but the visitors took a 10-3 lead going into halftime.
During the break, Cayman Rugby introduced players from their youth programme to show off their skills in a fun match – one that featured some of the loudest cheers from the crowd.
However, when the men returned to the pitch for the second half, Mexico capitalised on a penalty from way out that resulted in three more points, after which they earned their second try and conversion of the match, to bring the score to 20-3.
The local boys would then get their first try, after a forceful drive that proved to be too much for the Mexicans. Cayman finished with the conversion to end ‘Big Game X’ at 20-10.
Classy in defeat, Cayman’s captain Conal Keane said he was pleased with his team’s efforts despite the score and tipped his cap to the visiting team, who he said rightfully earned the win.
“I’m very proud of how we came back… we could’ve wilted but we came back strong,” Keane told the Compass. “I’m disappointed that we couldn’t make it a grandstand finish and really push them but I’m very proud of how we dug in that second half.
“Full value for their win and we’ll be humble about it … we’ll have our heads held up high. [W]e all are very proud to represent the Island tonight.”
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