Following two hard-fought matches between Cayman and Jamaica, the 2026 Hockey Fest concluded with the Cayman squad successfully retaining the Alexandra Horner Memorial Trophy on home turf.
The event, hosted at the Cayman International School field on 23 May, saw the visitors open with a commanding 3-0 victory. This was powered by a standout performance from Oshane Bean, who netted two goals, and a composed finish from Dale Fearon.
“Jamaica’s disciplined structure and clinical counterattacks set the tone early,” said the Cayman Islands Field Hockey Association in a press release.
Cayman answered back in the trophy match, securing a 5–3 victory to keep the title at home.
The Cayman side held a narrow 2–1 lead at halftime before the game resumed with five additional goals being added in the second half.
Cayman’s goals came from Liam Conradie, Erin Carruthers, who netted two, Jai Kiran, and the men’s captain Mike Hanley while Jamaica’s efforts were led by George McGlashen, with two goals, and Dale Fearon with one.
Cayman’s male captain Mike Hanley said, “We knew we had to respond after the first match, and the team delivered. Everyone stepped up, stayed disciplined, and played with heart. It was a fantastic team win.”
Cayman’s female captain Paige Brown emphasised the importance of the event for regional development saying, “Events like Hockey Fest strengthen our hockey family across the Caribbean. The energy, the competition, and the shared passion make this weekend special every year.”
Going into this year’s event as the defending champions, the Cayman squad knew they faced a fast and physical Jamaican side.
Prior to the event, a Cayman team representative said, “Whenever Jamaica steps onto the pitch, you know you’re in for a real contest. There’s mutual respect, but also a fierce desire to win. That’s what makes this rivalry special.”
This annual event has been contested between the two nations for over 15 years in honour of Alexandra Horner, a gifted hockey player whose life was tragically cut short.
Over the years, the match has evolved from a bilateral friendly to an annual festival comprising mixed teams of veterans and rising youth players battling for the coveted trophy.
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