DEFENDING Champions, Western Union Hikers, have stormed into the lead at the end of the first round of the two-round John Fernandes Insurance Services Ltd second Division Hockey league with their only loss in the pool being placed second to All Greys.

All top three teams captured 12 points each, but goal difference separates them. Following those two sides are GCC in third place while Old Fort, Airbenders and Saints round out the pool in that order.
In their most recent duel with arch-rivals GCC, the Hikers managed to stave off attacks from the Bourda machine to secure the 1-0 victory.  After the first half failed to produce any goals despite sound efforts from both sides, a goal-mouth scrimmage in the 45th minute fell kindly to newcomer Royden Ramroop who tapped in his first goal of the season.
GCC looked to threaten towards the final whistle but failed to balance the deficit, giving Hikers a full three points and the lead in the first round of competition with a +8 goal difference.
All Greys took the majority of their clash with Old Fort to score their lone goal of the match.  Old Fort fought bravely against them with Dwight Allen and goalkeeper David Williams in particular playing solid defence to keep Old Fort in contention.  Their 1-0 victory, however, has kept All Greys within striking distance of the trophy.
GCC took out the Airbenders with a 2-0 victory the following afternoon to keep them in third place in the pool.  Stuart Gonsalves and Shebiki Baptiste each scored one for the victors in the 11th and 40th minutes, respectively.
The Airbenders, however, managed to salvage some pride in their very next match against Saints when Samantha Fernandes struck in the 52nd minute with the lone goal of the match. This 1-0 victory completed the first outright victory in the tournament during regulation time for the Airbenders.
In the latest match, Old Fort pulled off an upset victory over GCC 2-1. Old Fort led from the beginning as Keon Evans put his side up by one in the eighth minute and Anthony Cole buried a second in the 29th minute.
The second half saw most of the action at the Old Fort end but GCC could only manage to pull back one goal through Leonard George in the 51st minute.
Matches resume today on Saints ground, Carifesta Avenue, as All Greys face GCC at 14:30hrs then Old Fort take on the Hikers at 16:00hrs.