Mixed success for Jamaica's teams

JAMAICA'S NATIONAL water polo teams had mixed success on the first day of the Youth versus Experience International Water Polo Tournament at the National Stadium Pool yesterday.

In the first game of the day, Jamaica's Under-20 team was beaten 8-3 by a tough Hungarian side.

Jamaican coach Laszlo Borbeley was happy with the performance, despite the result, and said as much.

"We got beaten but we played well against an unusual opponent. The Hungarians play a very, very unusual style and it was difficult. It was our first game and basically they played well and I hope they are going to get better as the tournament continues," Borbeley said.

In the second game of the day, a Jamaican International Invitational team played against Trinidad and Tobago in a high scoring, hard fought game. The 14-11 victory was sweet for the national coach, who played on the team.

HAPPY

"The Masters Jamaican team won their game against Trinidad. We are very happy because we've only come together two days ago, that was our first game and we won the two points and this is the most important," he said.

Jamaica's Under-20s had a bad start with Laszlo Howti grabbing two goals in the first quarter. The Jamaicans rebounded in the second quarter with Jamie Smith pulling one back to leave the game tightly poised.

However, the Hungarians came back brilliantly scoring six goals in two quarters, against Jamaica's two to take away any chance of an upset.

In the second game, Jamaica had to fight off a late surge from the Trinidadians to hold on to their lead after striking five times in the third quarter to take a big lead. Popular artist Sean-Paul Henriques scored four times to aid in the victory.