Jamaica Hurricanes 6 : BARLA Lions 38
Barbican Football Field, Kingston
Hurricanes were on top in the opening exchanges and a blistering run by Abevia McDonald down the right side and a great cover tackle by Bryan Ritchie halted the attack.
Jamaica pushed the BARLA line and attempted a drop goal after 15 minutes, to pass right past the post [0-0]. BARLA crossed the Hurricanes’ line, only for a knock on to rule out a Nathan Slater effort on 25 minutes. [0-0] Jordan Thomson was next to cross the line on 28 minutes but was held up. No try.
BARLA battled but the Hurricanes defence was solid, and Ryan Bowie felt the force of a huge tackle much to the liking of the Hurricanes’ fans. Finally, on 32 minutes, and Andy Ostle 30 yard ball across the pitch and French stepped the defence. [0-4] Sean Leicester added the goal. [0-6 BARLA]. An error by Cahill, and the knock on left BARLA defending six tackles on the line. On the ball turn over the whistle went for half time.
Two minutes into the second half and Slater made a dart from dummy half down the left sid,e and released Harling in the corner. Leicester missed a tough conversion. [0-10] Ostle darted from dummy half and a flat pass sent Heppell over with two defenders on his back. Leicester converted. [0-16]
Some hard work from BARLA started to pay off, and this time Slater crossed the whitewash. Leicester added the extras. [0-22]. Bri Ritchie was next to power his way over the line [0-26] and Leicester missed a difficult attempt. BARLA kept pressing and a fine acrobatic dive from Cahill in the right corner went to the touch judge’s call, [try awarded 0-30] and a great goal from Leicester. [0-32]
The game was stopped for a concussion to a hurricane player, who revived but needed medical attention, and five minutes later, Millom’s Marcus Obrien went down with a shoulder injury which didn’t look serious. Some heavy shots on both sides, with Singleton putting in the British artillery two minutes later, led to a Creswell break, who unselfishly offloaded to Leicester who added his own extras. [0-38]
A bursting run from Antonio Baker (the destroyer) followed. He crossed for the Hurricanes [4-38] and Hall converted. [6-38]
