JAMAICA, who included the Bulls' Omari Caro and Keighley Cougars duo Hamish Barnes and Ross Peltier, have suffered Firehouse Subs World Cup heartbreak.

Beaten 20-14 by the United States in their opening match in the Americas Group in Jacksonville last Friday, they led Canada 18-0 after 62 minutes in DeLand, only to concede 18 points and end up drawing a match they needed to win.

Batley Bulldog Wayne Rettie's try in the 53rd minute looked to have set up a famous Jamaica win in Florida, thereby putting the Reggae Warriors back in the qualification mix, but the Wolverines hit back spectacularly, Ryley Jacks scoring in the 63rd minute and full back Robin Legault crossing for tries in the 76th and 79th minutes in an astonishing climax.

And Canada, who did not include Bradford Dudley Hill and Bradford Salem's Chad Bain, could have won it, scrum half and co-captain Steve Piatek – who had landed an equalising conversion from the touchline to Legault’s second try – missed with a final-second drop-goal attempt.

Canada now play the United States in a winner-takes-all match on Saturday at Hodges Field, University of North Florida (8pm kick-off GMT).

“I’m proud of the performance from the team,” said shattered Jamaica head coach Romeo Monteith.

“There’s no shame in losing to the world No 10 by six points and drawing with the world No 12 in these qualifiers.

"We tried our best and I wish we could have held on at the end but it wasn’t to be and we have to move on."

Monteith brought Barnes into the starting line-up and his side made the perfect start, despite it being their second match in five days, catching the Canadians cold in dewy conditions that led to frequent dropped ball, although some of the defence was spectacular.

Lamont Bryan opened the scoring in the 21st minute, barrelling over from close in, former Bulls junior Joel Farrell converting and, five minutes later, the Jamaican lead was doubled, crisp passing seeing Corey Hanson and Bradford-born former Cougar Richie Barnett combining to send in Batley winger Alex Brown for a lovely score.

Farrell landed a penalty that extended the lead to 12 points and, in the second half, his crossfield kick was snapped up by Rettie who went over, Farrell adding the extras.

Jamaica interchange Tyrone Rowe was sin-binned by referee Robert Hicks just after the hour, and that was the catalyst for the Canadian comeback, the tricky Jacks crossing on the next set and Piatek being on target with the boot.