THE GTT National Indoor Hockey Championships got underway on Monday evening at the National Gymnasium with six great matches.In the first game, second division teams GCC Pitbulls and Phoenix squared off in an apparently one-sided match. The Pitbulls dominated throughout, making the final tally 11 – 1 in their favour.
The barrage of goals came from the sticks of Junior Nationals Kareem McKenzie, Shaquille Leung, Medroy Scotland and former Junior National Trevon Smith; scoring goals of five, three, two and one respectively. Rafael Robinson was Phoenix’s lone goal scorer.
GCC’s Manager, Kevin Spencer, seemed very satisfied at his team’s performance at the end of the match.
The next Second Division match of the evening took place between Old Fort Supersonics and Hikers. After a slow start, things started to heat up when Old Fort’s Orin Singh scored the first goal of the match in the 12th minute. Three minutes later, Shomere Garnett of the Hikers responded with a field goal of his own, which made the half-time score one apiece.
In the last half, however, Old Fort Supersonics picked up the pace and landed three more goals, mere seconds apart in one instance, bring their final score to four goals. Hikers only added one more goal to their count, sealing their defeat.
The third game was a veteran bout between Antonio’s Hickers and GCC Vintage. Critics called it a massacre, as GCC demolished the defenses of the Hickers to secure a 6 – 1 victory. James Mentore capitalized on a counter-attack in the first minute of play for Antonio’s Hickers; but after that goal, GCC Vintage showed their prowess, with Devin Hooper as their main man.
He added two goals to the reckoning in the second half, as his team coasted to a comfortable victory. Gabriella Xavier, GCC Vintage’s Manager, was extremely elated with her team’s output for that match.
Match number four was a clash of the ladies, as GCC Spartans met Old Fort Lady Bugs. It was another slow starting game, although it was not void of valiant attempts at goal scoring. The first goal of the evening that the Spartans managed to edge in was an FC by Carina Moller. No other goals were scored in the first half, but the second half saw more action, as Moller successfully scored a PC to bring her team’s total to two.

Romichelle Brummel of the Lady Bugs scored two back-to-back goals shortly after to even up the odds. However, neither team could effectively penetrate its opponent’s defenses, and the score at the end-of-game buzzer stood at 2-2.
The fifth match saw First Division teams Old Fort Ravers go against Saints in a heated match. No goals were scored in the first half, but not for lack of trying from either side.
In the second half, though, the Ravers came out swinging, and scored goals through Robert Brummel, Deheron Wilkinson, and the Simon brothers adding one each. Saints fared decently with two goals of their own, but it was in vain, as the Ravers safeguarded their win.
The final bout of the evening occurred between the Pepsi Hikers and GCC Bounty, both First Division squads. This match was a blowout of exceptional proportions, as the Pepsi Hikers sealed a 7-2 victory over a seemingly dysfunctional GCC Bounty.
Robert France was the leading scorer for the Hikers with four goals, while Randy Hope, Aroydy Brandford and Andrew Stewart added one each respectively. GCC Bounty’s Mark Sergeant and Kevin Spencer gave their team two goals, but their heroic contributions were insignificant in comparison. Both teams are known for their skill and focus, but last evening the Hikers seemed to have more of both.
The tournament continues until November 6.
This round-robin segment will see winning teams being awarded points to determine who will make it to the semi-finals, and ultimately the finals.