GCC eye triple titles
… take on Hikers in opening encounter today..
THE Georgetown Cricket Club’s hockey teams are eyeing triple titles when the Guyana Hockey Board (GHB)/Diamond Mineral Water 6th Annual International Indoor Hockey Festival flicks off at 15:00 h today at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.

GCC men’s veteran team will tackle Hikers in the opening fixture of the tournament today.

This is the first year that Hikers will be fielding a veteran (over-35) team in the tournament, while GCC were the losing finalists last year, having been edged by Fatima of Trinidad 6-7 in an exciting final last year.

Both teams sport several former players and GCC will be spearheaded by five former nationals in the Fernandes brothers, Alan, Philip and Stephen along with Damon Woodroffe and Rawle Davson.

The Hikers bring their own brand of quality and experience with former nationals Timothy McIntosh and Azad DeAbreu along with former junior nationals James Mentore, Rene Edwards and David Gomes.

According to coach of the three GCC squads and president of the GHB, Philip Fernandes, much can be expected of his teams in all three competitions, the men’s women’s and Carib veterans challenge.

“Our ladies are two-time defending champions while the Veterans are silver medallists from last year,” said Fernandes, adding, “so it is only our men who have yet to prove their mettle in the Festival.

“Coming off the victory in the recent GT&T-sponsored National Indoor Championships I hope they can maintain their form and stay focused enough to perform successfully at the Festival.”

The best placing that the GCC men have managed in the final was the bronze medals back in 2004.

YMCA of Barbados who set foot in Guyana yesterday morning will also be on show early in the schedule as they tackle the resurgent Old Fort who have bolstered their team with the return of overseas-based members Tony Cole from Trinidad and Jonathan Roberts now of Canada.

Roberts has been in the winners’ circle twice already in the festival’s short history having won with the Toronto Galaxy in the inaugural year and then again in 2006.

In addition, Trinidad international, Nicholas Wren, will also suit up in the red and white of Old Fort as a guest player for the festival.

YMCA are an unknown quantity as they have never competed in the festival but boast a solid record in domestic hockey in Barbados, being the current men’s knockout champions and the men’s premier division champs of 2008.

Defending champions in the men’s division, the Hikers, first take the floor in the third match of the day against local counterparts Western Dragons. While the Dragons have been a fast-improving side, winning this year’s second division competition in the national indoor, they may find themselves in real battle against the smooth well-oiled machinery of the Hikers.

With the crafty Jerazeno Bell at the helm of a team that is well-stocked with national players including captain Devin Munroe, Alex Gouveia, Shane Samuels and Robert Fernandes, the Hikers are one of the favourites going into this year’s festival and have signalled their determination to maintain their stronghold on the coveted trophy.

The opening ladies’ match-up of the evening takes place at 18:00 h with favourites and two-time defending champions Flora GCC taking on arch-rivals the Hikers in what is likely to be a highly entertaining duel.

The two sides have battled for supremacy in local competition for the past couple of years and they will both be determined to come out with the full three points.

Captain Sonia Jardine will spearhead her GCC side with upcoming youngsters Marzana Fiedtkou and Trisha Woodroffe in support while the Hikers will be lead by nationals Avonda James and Marisha Rodrigues.

Matches run until 22:00 h this evening and resume tomorrow at 09:00 h until 22:00 h.

Saturday’s matches end at 15:00 h to allow teams a chance to visit a bit more of Guyana. The finals on Sunday run until 18:00 h.

The Festival this year has garnered great support from the local business community as, apart from traditional sponsors in Diamond, Mineral Water, Carib Beer, DeAbreu’s Creations and GT&T, the Guyana Hockey Board has secured the support of Jerries Bar & Restaurant, Edward B. Beharry & Company Ltd, Scotiabank, Bounty Farm Ltd, Igloo Ice-cream and Flora Margarine.