JAMAICA A v BARLA U23

The BARLA Great Britain U23 national team ended their Jubilee Tour of Jamaica with a hard fought 56-28 victory over an improved Jamaica A side at the GC Foster College on Saturday. Jamaica A played superbly for large portions of the game and were level with their more accomplished opponents 16-16 at half time.  However, any thoughts of another famous victory such as the one accomplished by the senior national team against South Africa in the World Cup qualifiers last November, were dispelled by a furious second half rally by the British team who outmuscled the local lads in the final 40 minutes.

James Delaney struck the first blow for BARLA when poor defensive work by the Jamaicans on the right edge saw the propr crash over unchallenged for 4 points after only 5 minutes. The Jamaicans made it 4-2 when Kemoy Whyte kicked a penalty 2 minutes later, but Delaney scored again when Jamaica failed to hold on to the ball from the ensuing restart. Skipper John Brocklebank then kicked the extra two points to make it 10-2 in favour of the tourists’.

Danny Lynch then scored for the visitors on 32 minutes and Brocklebank again slotted over the conversion as BARLA took a comfortable 16-2 lead. Jamaica A then rallied when Ryan Grant playing at centre stepped his way through the British defence on 36 minutes and dived over for a try with Whyte converting. Three minutes later BARLA conceded another penalty in front of goal and Whyte punished them with another 2 pointer.  Marvin Thompson then sent the home crowd wild with celebrations when he intercepted a BARLA pass and sprinted 50 metres to tie the game at 16 all just before half time.

Jamaica A failed to  capitalize on their momentum as they allowed the visitors to score first in the second half when Dan Sayle crashed over on 42 minutes for a 20-16 lead.  Jamaica A should have evened the score when flying winger Ryan Spence broke free on the right side, but he knocked on the ball near the try line, relieving the pressure on the visitors. James Delaney then made Jamaica pay when he scored 2 minutes later with Broklebank kicking the conversion.

Jamaica A showed determination when Tyronie Rowe got the ball from a scrum and musled his way to a 80m try, swatting defenders from his path and showing good foot speed.  Whyte kicked the conversion and the home side seemed poised to spring the upset.

The game turned when the British forwards began to dominate the centre of the field. Further tries from Tom Saunders (2), Delaney, Lyndon Robertson and Broklebank killed off the resistance of the locals as BARLA pushed their points to 56.  Jamaica A sent the fans home happy when an incredible passing sequence saw them move the ball from their own goal line to midfield where Claude Yen spiraled a 20m pass to Roy Calvert who out sprinted  the defence to leave the locals feeling proud  with a good 28 points tally.

BARLA Chairman Spen Allison, commenting on the tour and game said: “The tour has been exceptional; although we did win Jamaica A will get great credit that it was all level at half time , I think the Jamaican guys gave us a fantastic contest and I think the winner is certainly rugby league. I am pleased that BARLA have yet again crossed foreign soil to promote the game and help develop this great sport, I would also like to thank the Jamaican guys for the hospitality towards us.”

Singing the praises of the tour Jamaica National team coach Romeo Monteith said, “The players competed better today and could have won this game, it’s encouraging because it is clear to everyone that Jamaica can be world beaters at rugby league. We may lack local sponsors and great facilities, but our players are very good and will only get better, especially if we get support. We thank BARLA Great Britain for coming here to help  develop the game and we hope to have them again soon.”

JAMAICA ‘A’
Renaldo Wade, Ryan Spence, Claude Yen, Ryan Grant, Sheldon Harris, Roy Calvert, Andre Reid (c), Carlyle Burger, Robert Rodney, Jason Gooden, Khamisi Mckain, Kemoy Whyte, Jermaine Pinnoc. Subs:, Marvin Thompson, Stephen Scott, Sandino Hastings, Adrian Myers, Fabion Turner, Tyronie Rowe, Andrae Mcfarlane

BARLA U23
Chris Warren, Jack Sinclair, Clayton Sutton, Jack Ridsdill, Gavin Conroy, Jp Brocklebank (c), Ross Gainford, Tom Richardson, James Delaney, Lyndon Robertson, Johnny Goulding, Dan Morrow, James Barker. Subs: Danny Lynch, Jack Sutherland, Jamie Fields, Tom Saunders, Paul Corkhill, Dan Sayle