YMCA Old Fort Ballerz upstaged defending champions, GCC Pitbulls, with a 2-1 victory on Sunday afternoon in the final clash of the Solo Beverages Boys’ U-20 Outdoor Development Hockey League at the St. Stanislaus College (SSC) ground, on Carifesta Avenue.

Old Fort Ballerz had given themselves a chance, by scoring a whopping 6-0 against SHC Storm on Saturday afternoon with Shaquon Favourite firing a hat-trick.  Although Old Fort were within striking distance and had a superior goal difference (22-12), the Pitbulls just needed to draw their clash to retain the title.

Both teams had chances early and GCC enjoyed a fair share of attacks, but then the Ballerz got into their zone and with the combination of Omar Hopkinson and Luis Adams in defence, they were able to keep the GCC attacks at bay.

On the stroke of half time, a pass by Hopkinson to Favourite beat the goalie, which handed the Ballerz a slim lead.

GCC came out attacking in the second period and had a few chances, including a disallowed goal, due to an infraction and a shot from deep, which darted through the defence and struck the right side of box only to ricochet away from the goal-mouth.

The exchanges continued until the last few minutes of the game, when Old Fort attacked in numbers and had managed to bring the goalie off his line, which left a clear shot on goal, but it was well protected by the defence.

The ball was, however, not cleared and a slick move by Theodore Thierens, which saw him delivering a backhanded shot, with the slimmest of opening, into the goal, carrying the side two up.

GCC did not give up and answered one minute after when Rahim Oliver found himself on a one-on-one with the goalie.

In the last minute, the defending champions had two chances, one of which should have been converted. Unfortunately for them, the final whistle blew with the score at 2-1.

Kareem McKenzie, from the GCC Pitbulls, was named the Most Valuable Player, while the Ballerz’ Paul D’Andrade copped the Best Goalkeeper’s award and Yonnick Norton, from the YMCA Old Fort Generals, the Most Promising Player. Favourite also won an award for finishing with 12 goals, the most in the league.