HOCKEY-Jamaica share spoils with Bermuda after contrasting men’s and womens’ fates

HAMILTON, Bermuda– Jamaica’s men’s team gained an early advantage in their bid to seal a place in next year’s Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in El Salvador, following up a 1-1 draw with Puerto Rico by thrashing Bermuda 4-1 on Thursday, day two of round-robin qualifiers at the Flora Duffy Stadium.

But Bermuda’s women ensured honors were even on the day by coming from behind to edge their Jamaican counterparts 2-1.

Four men’s teams are competing, but Guyana has sent only a women’s team.

Phillip Dawson gave Jamaica a 14th-minute lead from a penalty corner in Thursday’s early men’s match. Still, Puerto Puerto, who drew 0-0 with Bermuda in Wednesday’s opener, leveled on 29 minutes through a Kenneth Rodriquez penalty corner.

The Jamaicans proved too strong for the hosts in the evening match, scoring a brace of field goals through Brandon Clarke (10 minutes) and Richard Harris (53rd) and a pair of penalty corners from Phillip Dawson (23rd) and Tyrone Vernon (46th).

Bermuda gained a consolation penalty corner in the final minute through Donovan Simmons.

Jamaica captain Ajani Burton hailed his team’s impressive display, saying: “We pride ourselves on running hard on and off the ball and keeping ball possession, and that’s exactly what we did today.

“There is still room for improvement, but we are grateful for the win. We are grateful for how we dominated the game, controlling the ball and controlling the game’s pace.”

Bermuda coach Kovin Moodley said: “I think hats off to Jamaica. They showed that they could control the game’s tempo and were very dominant and very strong.

“I think today our boys just lost a little bit of their edge, and we got capitalized by a solid team.”

Puerto Rico edged Guyana 1-0 through Josefina Freaney’s 48th-minute penalty corner before Bermuda turned the tables on Jamaica in the women’s division.

Shareeka Elliott gave the visitors a 37th-minute field goal before the hosts rallied to level on 48 minutes through Georgia Harris’ penalty corner.

Maya Palacio secured Bermuda’s victory with a field goal in 51 minutes.

“We have so much pride, and this is like our passion,” Tse Minors, the Bermuda captain, said.  “That’s what kept us going, and we never put our heads down.”

The top two men’s and women’s teams will advance to next year’s CAC Games.