Controversy mars end to tournament … BEI and ERSS claim titles

AMIDST strong words of objections to a controversial finish, Berbice Educational Institute (BEI) were crowned the Guyana Sports Development Foundation (GSDF) Pepsi/Scotiabank National U-15 champions after defeating Christianburg/Wismar Secondary School (CWSS) 5-4 on sudden-death kicks at the Ministry of Education ground last Saturday.  After regulation time failed to produce a winner, the match was sent into penalty kicks, which initially ended 4-4, leaving the officials no choice but to order a sudden-death penalty shootout between the two sides. Here was where the controversy erupted at the venue, as one official told the players that anyone can take the sudden-death penalty kick, for which CWSS’ skipper took the spot kick for his side and scored, while the BEI player missed his, sparking off wild celebrations on the field for the Linden side. However, Coordinator of the tournament, Lawrence ‘Sparrow’ Griffith, interrupted the celebrations for the Linden side and pointed out the infringement of the rule, which was not taken calmly by the temporary winners. After the dust had settled, the kicks were retaken; a result of which the CWSS player missed his while the Berbicians converted theirs to claim the championship trophy and medallions, leaving their disgruntled opponents to settle for the runner-up silverware. In the earlier excursions, Troy Monroe almost opened the scoring for the Berbicians in the 27th minute as his right-footed attempt from the centre of the penalty area, was denied by the opposing custodian whom he faced in a one-on-one situation. Wismar/Christianburg almost broke the stalemate in the 41st minute through a Ronell Deputron strike which was parried to safety by the onrushing Jerold Foort the BEI custodian, within the left side of the penalty area. Omar Brewley then fired his right-footed strike over the cross from within the six-yard area in the 53rd minute after latching onto a right-sided cross, as the Linden side began to get the better of the exchanges. On the back foot for most of the second period, BEI’s Mark Porter almost stole the lead for his unit in the 62nd minute as his right-footed effort from the centre of the penalty area, was denied by the Linden shot-stopper. The Lindeners, who are also the two-time national champions in the Digicel Inter-Secondary School Championships that is currently on, continued to be frustrated by the efforts of Foort between the uprights, as he denied a powerful 26-yard right-footed Hubert Adams free kick in the 67th minute. With no winner, penalty kicks had to be introduced and after leading 4-3, CWSS handed the Berbicians a lifeline as they missed their fifth attempt, for which their opponents said thanks by converting their kick, following which the controversy ensued but was cleared up and BEI waltzed away with the championship trophy. On the distaff side, East Ruimveldt Secondary walked away with the title after they overcame another Linden unit in Wisburg Secondary 3-0 on penalty kicks after normal time concluded with the scores locked at 0-0. Troyann Barton almost opened the scoring for the Georgetown unit in the 15th minute but her right-footed strike from the right side of the box was denied by the legs of the Linden custodian, while Christy Spencer almost broke the deadlock in favour of Wisburg Secondary 12 minutes later, lashing her right-footed effort just wide of the right hand corner of the net. East Ruimveldt custodian Decaycia Norville kept the score line the same going into the second period as she denied a Wisburg Secondary penalty-kick attempt in the 30th minute, following a reckless challenge within the penalty box. The stout defending continued in the second stanza as Deborah Waldron was denied in the 50th minute by the outstretched leg of the final defender, after racing into the penalty box from the right side of the field. With a winner not decided and with no extra time interval, penalty kicks settled the outcome, for which ERSS came out on top. (By Calvin Roberts)