CIS and St. Ignatius open new primary school football season

The 2022 CUC Primary Football League (PFL) and Girls’ Primary Football League (GPFL) kicked-off this past Saturday, October 1 with some exciting opening matches that didn’t disappoint.

Following a year’s absence and a week’s delay to the start of the season due to Tropical Storm Ian, Cayman’s future football heroes and heroines took to the fields across the Island to once again experience that special feeling of representing their respective schools in a competition that has become synonymous with primary school sports.

In Group A of the CUC PFL, St. Ignatius Catholic travelled to the Camana Bay SC to take on Cayman International School (CIS). In the Under 9 game, CIS defeated St. Ignatius Catholic 4-0 (respect rule enforced) thanks to goals from Jesse Duiker-Daignault in the 3rd minute, Hugo Chaloner in the 10th minute, Ben Koszec in the 13th minute and Finn MacBain in the 22nd minute.

The Under 11 encounter was a much more even contest as CIS edged out a resilient St. Ignatius Catholic team 2-1. CIS’ Teddy West was a constant ‘thorn in the side’ of the St. Ignatius midfield and defence as his piercing runs caused more than a few problems for the visitors’ backline. His efforts were rewarded in the 18th minute as his team was awarded a penalty, which young Mr. West dispatched with cool nerves.

It was that young man again as West slammed his and his teams second of the day in the 30th minute to take a 2-0 lead. On the verge of collapse, the St. Ignatius Catholic Under 11 boys corrected a few things in the back and fought hard to carve out a few chances of their own. In the 36th minute, the boys in purple were rewarded for their efforts as Emeka Adumekwe slotted home from close range to bring his team to within one of their opponents, but it wasn’t enough as CIS rode out the last few minutes to secure the three points.

In other scores in Group A, it was Cayman Prep 9B 3 vs. George Town Primary 0 (Under 9), Cayman Prep 11B 0 vs. George Town Primary 0 (Under 11), Sir John A. Cumber Primary 0 vs. Truth For Youth 0 (Under 9) and Sir John A. Cumber Primary 0 vs. Truth For Youth 1 (Under 11).

In Group B, games between Prospect Primary and Cayman Brac, NorthEast Schools and Cayman Prep 11A and Theoline L. McCoy Primary and Triple C were postponed due to field and other issues.

In the CUC GPFL, CIS took on West Bay’s Sir John A. Cumber Primary in their home opener in what turned out to be an exciting opening day game for the young ladies. The travelling support from West Bay were on their feet in the 8th minute as the speedy Zyniah Missick latched on to a long through ball to slot home her team’s first goal for the 2022 season. Chances were limited as both defences held strong but it was CIS’ central defender Ava Pierre who levelled the score in the 36th minute with an unstoppable blast from 25 yards out. Both schools pushed for the winner but it was not to be as time ran out. A 1-1 score was a fair result.

In other games played in the CUC GPFL, it was Prospect Primary 0 vs. Cayman Prep 4 (respect rule), St. Ignatius Catholic 4 vs. Triple C 0 (respect rule) and George Town Primary 0 vs. Joanna Clarke Primary 2.

The second round of games are scheduled for this Saturday, October 8 at venues across the Island. Visit www.caymanyouthfootball.ky for the full CUC PFL and GPFL schedules, scores and standings.