Gallant Jamaica beaten 26-12 in rugby friendly

Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer

Paul Morris, director of rugby to the Jamaica Rugby League, has described his team's performance against West Yorkshire in their People's Telecom-sponsored practice match at UWI, Mona Bowl on Saturday as "outstanding".

The Jamaica National Select XIII, went down 26-12 to the visiting West Yorkshire team but despite this, Morris said it was a very good result.

"If they had offered me 26-12 at the beginning, I would have taken it," he explained.

"They are a First-World side; the people here saw how experienced they are," added Morris, who has been in Jamaica teaching league rugby for just over 14 months.

"We have been playing (league rugby) for 14 months, and for Jamaica to hold them within 12 points, that's an outstanding performance," he continued.

The Jamaicans trailed 12-6 at the half, but despite a better second-half performance, they could not match the more experienced team, who had beaten Serbia 58-8 recently.

Morris said they would continue to bring down top-quality opposition as he has seen improvement at every game.

Jon Hamer, coach of the visitors, said he was pleased with his team's performance but he also thought that Jamaica had played very well.

Entertaining game

"Tough, aggressive, physical rugby league football was demonstrated by the Jamaicans and I thoroughly enjoyed watching your Jamaican athletes," he said.

Andy Eastham led the way for the visitors with two tries. Jeff Mullings, Matt Dunn, and Danny Burton supported with a try each, while Sash Brook converted three kicks.

Jerry Braham and Modenjo Thompson scored tries for Jamaica while Kemar Gray converted two kicks.

On Wednesday, the Jamaica Constabulary Force Knights proved to be no match for their West Yorkshire counterparts as they were thumped 48-8 in an invitational rugby league friendly match at Vauxhall High School.