THRILLS and excitement were the order of the day at the GCC ground when Hikers and GCC took to the field in the first showdown of the Farfan and Mendes First Division Hockey League tournament. The menacing attacks of the Young Hikers’ boys were constantly turned back by the experienced Damon Woodroffe and goalkeeper Michael Xavier with some superb saves.
It was GCC who took the lead when goalkeeper Azad DeAbreu made a beautiful diving save but was not enough to stop Devin Hooper in the 37th minute from picking up the rebound and hammering in a blistering shot that found that back of the nets. The attacks continued back and forth by both teams but the score remained 1-0.
Coming down to the dying minutes of the game, a beautiful touch-ball play initiated by Robert France, saw the ball played around the GCC’s defenders to find Colonel Heywood in the 62nd minute who netted in his team’s first goal and the match ended in a draw 1-1.
Continuing onwards in the John Fernandes Second Division League tournament, Hikers defeated Saints in an 8-0 drubbing. The score card was opened when Colonel Heywood in the 3rd minute found the back of the goal after beating goalkeeper Lorenzo Bethune. Hikers continued to press forward and Akeem Thompson netted in five goals for his team in the 12th, 26th, 39th, 48th and 56th minute with his many skilful finishes.
Saints tried to fight back but their efforts were constantly shut down by the Hikers’ defence. Jamar Assanah and Reginald Harper added two more goals for their team in the 58th and 61st minutes respectively ending the game 8-0.
In the second game Old Fort defeated Airbenders 3-2 in what was a close victory. The intensity soared from both teams in their attempts to find the back of the nets. Kevin Melville in the 3rd minute dribbled past the Airbenders defenders and flicked his ball beautifully into the uprights of the goal.  Old Fort took the lead to 2-0 when John Abrams in the 20th minute hammered in his shot, taking advantage of the Airbenders’ defensive error.
However, the Airbenders were relentless and it was Cora Towler in the 25th minute who found the back of the nets for her team to narrow down the goal margin. Despite the pressure being applied by the Airbenders, John Abrams of Old Fort, in the 50th minute, broke through the Airbenders’ defence and netted in his second goal to take the score to 3-1.
Airbenders continued to press on with their attacks and Samantha Fernandes in the 62nd minute dribbled down the baseline and beat goalkeeper Simon on his inside post to add another goal for the Airbenders but this was not enough to stop Old Fort from keeping their lead and the match ended 3-2.