Jamaica defeated Canada in their doubleheader matches at the University of West Indies’ Mona Bowl in Kingston. The senior men’s side overcame the Wolverines 34-12, center Tahj-Jay Lynch with a hat trick, while the junior Reggae Warriors took the inaugural U19s clash between the nations 42-24, running in eight tries, three of them spectacular long-range efforts.
“I would like to thank the Canadian rugby league for sending two teams, especially at a time that our country is going through so much after the hurricane here,” said Jamaica men’s coach Roy Calvert. “It has been a real morale boost. “We had a very rough, interrupted preparation but we stuck to it, the guys did what they were asked to, gave 80 minutes effort, and that pulled us over the line.”
Back rower Jenson Morris and Lynch with his opener got the hosts off to a flying start, Jason Chuck with the first of his two tries crossing for the visitors who were behind 14-4 at the break. Ricardo Richards and Joseph Daley crossed inside four minutes straight after the break to extend Jamaica’s lead, Chuck and winger Oliver Lenahan – who played the full U19s game – sandwiching a further two Lynch touchdowns.
Canada men’s head coach, Aaron Zimmerle, commented: “It was a pleasure for us to come to Jamaica. I know the country is hurting after suffering through the hurricane and for our players to see how theirs have rallied around that, there are things more important than the result.
“We had nine debutants, and I was really proud with a couple of our younger ones, Oliver Lenahan was our most damaging player. To see him come through the Canadian player pathway system, I’m excited to see what he and others like him can become.”
Jamaica 34
Ben Jones Bishop, Kenneth Walker, Ricardo Richards, Tahj-Jay Lynch, Kamarine Williams, Chevaughn Bailey, Michael Pearson, Daniel Graham, Marvin Thompson, Kevin Thomas, Jenson Morris, Andrew Simpson, Owen Linton
Subs: Aaron Jones Bishop, Kyronn Fairclough, Joseph Daley, Akeem Murray
Tries: J. Morris (4), Lynch (10, 69,76), Fairclough (32), Richards (42), Daley (46)
Goals: Bailey 2/6, A. Jones Bishop 1/1
Canada 12
Jacob Bourne, Jalen Harrison, Jason Chuck, Colin Crozier, Darian Archer, Rhys Jacks, Greg Wise, Dan Martyn, Toby Horn, Chuck Curran, Qais Nasseri, Augustus Murphy, Scyler Dumas
Subs: Robin Legault, Doug Howard, Blake Marshall, Oliver Lenahan
Tries: Chuck (20, 64), Lenahan (74)
Goals: Bourne 0/3
Half time: 14-4
Referee Kemoy Whyte
In the curtain raiser, Lenahan crossed twice in a tight first half, Jamaica leading 18-14 at the interval, prop Luke Elliott a standout for the hosts. Brandon Gordon scored either side of the break to put them in control, speedy center Tyreke Hutchinson also claiming a double and Oniel Williams finishing with 16 points.
“We are extremely grateful to Canada for coming out so that we could play this historic game,” said Jamaica U19s coach Oshane Edie. “They made a lot of good yards up the middle, but we worked hard on coming off our line and that paid off. Overall, we put in a good showing.”
Canada RL chair, John Cameron, noted: “It was great to have an U19s team on the pitch, a superb first experience for our boys, and a good launch pad for us moving forward. We look forward to hosting the young Warriors in a return game.“
Jamaica U19s 42
Alex Williamson, Timarri Johnson, Tyreke Hutchinson, Shamar Walker, Oniel Williams, Shevaughn Smith, Tevez Tullocj, Luke Elliott, Chadwick Brown, Jahzeel Francis, Shavaughn Smith, Joshua Brandon, Demarco Mckenzi
Subs: Brandon Gordon, Kwesi Shannon, Shadrie Dixon, Aldane Eccleston
Tries: Williams (1, 14), Hutchinson (31, 74), Gordon (34, 47), Williamson (55), Smith (79)
Goals: Williams 4/7, Eccleston 1/ 2
Canada U19s 24
Blake Marshall, Miguel Smith, Wyatt Klasen, Doug Howard, Blake Pollock, Jack Smart, Oliver Lenahan, William August, Otis Chan, Brady Nooski, Cameron Seed, Alex Paddle, Joshua Walker
Sub: Michael Chandler
Tries: Klasen (4), Lenahan (21, 25), Pollock (58), Chandler (75)
Goals: Lenahan 2/5
Half time: 18-14
