Jamaica's women's hockey team was beaten 4-0 by Venezuela in their Group B encounter at the Pan American Junior Under-21 Championships in Guadalajara, Mexico, yesterday.

The Dr Michelle Holt-coached team now sits second from bottom in the standings with three points. Chile, who are unbeaten in the competition, lead the standings with 12 points from four matches. They are followed by the United States (nine), Venezuela (six) and Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica, who are both on three points.

The Jamaicans won their first match of the championships on Friday with 2-0 victory over bottom-placed Paraguay.

searching for win

Trudy-Ann Knight and Demi Nicholson were the goalscorers for the Jamaicans, who will oppose the United States in their final group game tomorrow.

Meanwhile, at press time, Jamaica's male Under-21 team, which is still searching for its first win of the competition, were down to face Brazil in a Group A encounter. They will then face Guatemala in their final group game tomorrow.

The Aubyn Ferguson-coached Jamaican men were beaten 8-1 by arch-rivals Trinidad and Tobago in their opening game last Monday. They suffered their second defeat in the competition on Wednesday, going down 8-0 to defending champions and top-ranked Argentina.

Argentina lead the group with nine points, three ahead of Trinidad and Tobago. They are followed by Brazil, who are on three points. Like the Jamaicans, the Guatemalans are yet to register a point.