… Old Fort, Hikers suffer mixed fortunes
GEORGETOWN Cricket Club (GCC) stormed through the first day of lively action in the Brydens Indoor Hockey Classic chalking up two victories and one draw in the three competitions. Other top clubs Old Fort and Hikers suffered mixed fortunes while Saints and Supernova, despite their losses, gave a good account of themselves.
In a repeat of last year’s Diamond Mineral Water International Indoor final, GCC and Old Fort met in the feature match of the opening night of the Solo Men’s First Division Competition.
With both teams hyped and running the floor like it was still an international final, GCC made a breakthrough in the 8th minute, with overlapping left defender Dwayne Scott picking up a square pass and dispatching a menacing shot into the back of the net.
As the pace settled, Old Fort supporters remained on edge for the next twelve minutes until captain Chris Lowe made a brilliant run down the right wing to square his pass to an open John Abrams for the finish.
The second half saw GCC take command of the match. However Stuart Gonsalves registered a double for GCC while teammate Kevin Spencer added one and Dwayne Scott a final one which was his second for the night.
Dwight McCalmon managed one more for Old Fort to leave the final score at 5–2 in favour of GCC.
The Hikers defeated Supernova by 5–3 in the other Solo Men’s First Division matchup.  Colonel Haywood opened the match with a double for the Hikers while captain Robert France, putting in another of his usual workmanlike performances, added a double of his own.
A powerful Randy Hope penalty corner, resulting in their fifth goal, secured the easy Hikers’ victory.  The junior Supernovas, however, put up a good fight against the Caribbean indoor powerhouse as Mark Fraser, Yonnick Peters and Travon Younge managed a goal each in their losing effort.
Earlier in the evening the GCC Spartans upstaged their senior rivals, the Hikers Divas, by a 5–1 margin in the Breeze Women’s Competition.  The Hikers, fielding a number of new players, seemed a bit off the pace of the young Spartans who took control in the 15th minute through a low Marzana Fiedtkou shot.
Fiedtkou would pour in two more in the second half which was supported by a double from teammate and skilful midfielder Gabriella Xavier.  The Hikers managed a late consolation goal in the final minute through Tremayne Junor.
The Kellogg’s Men’s second division competition featured many of the players coming out of the school’s programme and the vibrant Hikers Youth Academy.
Pre-tournament favourites Hikers and GCC squared off in a tumultuous battle with no team giving an inch.  After a high-paced and evenly matched battle, GCC earned a penalty corner and Stephen Xavier launched a rocket into the Hikers goal to break the deadlock.
The Hikers fought back bravely with some superb skill by Shaquille Assanah in midfield.  Assanah was instrumental in assisting Colonel Heywood in two goals for the Hikers at the opening of the second half.  GCC’s Trevon Smith drew his side even 8 minutes later, however, to see the match to a 2-2 draw.
Old Fort made light work of newcomers Saints in their indoor debut, with a 4-2 beating in the other Kellogg’s second division matchup.
Deon Carew led Old Fort in scoring with a double while teammates Michael Hawke and Dwight McCalmon added one each.  Hilton Chester and Leroy Jack were the scorers for Saints.
The tournament continues through the weekend with the three finals being played tomorrow from 16:00hrs.