Sixty-fourth ranked Jamaica returned to world scene with an industrious upset 2-1 win against 47th ranked Barbados in their International Hockey Federation (FISH) World League tournament at the Mona Hockey Field yesterday.

Jerome Davis and George McGlashen scored for Jamaica, while Neil Franklyn netted for Barbados.

It was Jamaica’s first international game since competing at the CAC Games four years ago when they were beaten by the Dominican Republic, whom they play in their second game on Saturday.

Yesterday’s clash was the third and final game of a triple header in which Barbados, the FIH 47th ranked women’s team outstripped 63rd ranked Puerto Rico 4-1, and Trinidad and Tobago defeating the Dominican Republic 3-1.

“We may be deemed the underdogs but that does not bother us any at all. We play each team as they come and adjust accordingly,” said Jamaica coach Nicholas Brown.

He said what he has learnt from the game is that Jamaica need to be exposed “more like our opponents. This is the first time since 2010 that the team has been together and training as a unit. So it just proved that if the support is there like Trinidad and Barbados we can be a force to be reckoned with.”

Meanwhile, Trinidad and Tobago continued to perform as the number one ranked women’s team in the International Hockey Federation (FIH) World League tournament with another command performance by blanking the Dominican Republic, the number two ranked team, 3-1, at the Mona Hockey Field yesterday.

Blair Wynne doubled her tournament tally to bring Trinidad and Tobago even in the 18th minute after Agustina Birocho had given the Dominican Republic the lead a minute earlier.

Following the equaliser, the Dom Rep showed that they are a quality team as they pressed T&T relentlessly with some good build play. However it was Trinidad and Tobago who snatched the go-ahead goal in the 34th minute when the diminutive Brianna Govia got in between the Dominican Republic defenders to beat goalkeeper Cindy De La Rosa with a well-placed shot.

Despite the setback, the Dem Rep continued to fight on and showed degrees of dynamic resilience, but Oire Trotman, who earlier had a goal disallowed, scored in the 66th minute to celebrate her birthday and make the game safe for Trinidad and Tobago.

It was a result that gave the FIH 31st ranked team consecutive wins on the second day of the six-day competition among women competitors.

Trinidad and Tobago coach Anthony Marcano had nothing but praises for his girls: “They responded well to the challenge but credit should go to my support staff with special mention of the efforts of the physiotherapy team who has worked and continue to work diligently with the players, even late at nights, to get them in readiness for the following days’ battles.”