THE veteran side of ex-national players, All Greys, will go into the second round of the John Fernandes-sponsored second division men’s hockey league at the top of the points standing when the tournament continues this weekend at the St Stanislaus College, ground, Carifesta Avenue. With half of the league matches completed it is All Greys who lead the way with 10 points, followed by Hikers on nine, GCC with seven, Saints with three and Old Fort yet to pick up a point.
Two weekends ago, All Greys took the upstarts, defending champions Hikers, to school to remain unbeaten after the fifth match in the league.
The action-packed weekend started on Labour Day when All Greys struggled to get past an organised Saints side, who played good disciplined hockey for most of the match before a moment of brilliance from striker Sheldon Corlette gave All Greys the narrow victory.
Corlette picked up the ball near the top of the scoring area and pulled left to give himself just enough room to unleash a reverse tomahawk shot that looped over the keeper and ended up in the top right-hand corner of the goal. GCC then made light work of Old Fort, running away 4-0 victors.
All Greys received a walkover from Old Fort before Hikers came roaring back from a 0-1 deficit to edge Saints 2-1, thanks to a Leon Bacchus goal in the final minute of the match.
The GCC and Saints match saw another tactical battle between an organised Saints defence and a creative GCC front six.
It took an individual run from forward Stuart Gonsalves to unlock the Saint’s defence before Patrick Edghill tapped in at the last post in the dying minutes of the game to earn the victory for the Bourda side.
The feature match last weekend between Hikers and All Greys lived up to expectations.
The game started as a cagey affair before All Greys grasped an early lead through midfielder Alan Fernandes in the 5th minute.
Hikers responded three minutes later through a Leon Bacchus equaliser.
The first quarter ended 2-1 in favour of All Grey after a spectacular Gavin Hope’s overhead deflection which beat an advancing Jason Hoyte.
Attack after attack was turned back by a stout All Greys’ defence and, with Hikers growing increasingly desperate, All Greys took advantage and counterattacked with great efficiency, sealing the match in the fourth quarter through another Alan Fernandes goal.