HIKERS Men maintained their unbroken streak of wins and in the process held on to the Bounty Farms Digicel One-Day Seven-a-Side Hockey Title with victory of GCC ‘A’.But it was no easy victory, winning 2-1 in penalties.

In Female GCC Tigers remained unbeaten in recent play to retain their crown.

At the National Stadium and under fading light, the winner of the Hikers/GCC ‘A’ clash was decided after two rounds of penalties.
In the first 10-minute period both teams were cagey with attempts to score but there was no conversion.
In the second half a bad clearance by Brian ‘Bull’ Asregado was intercepted by GCC ‘A’. They made no mistake in slotting home; Kevin Spencer drawing the defence and keeper Jason Hoyte out on the right side. His shot slammed into the back of the box; Advantage GCC in the 11th minute.
But Hikers would not be undone, two minutes later, Hikers rushed the GCC ‘A’ defence; national Jamarj Assanah collected the ball down the right wing and guided it along the baseline and with the challenge of custodian Eric Hing and two defenders, tapped it across the face of the box, Robert France tapping it in. One-all the score and the tone of the match changed.
Both teams charged each other’s goal in search of the winner. The first green card to be issued – dangerous play.- was to Alan Fernandes as the clock ticked away
Play continued and a penalty in favour of GCC ‘A’ was awarded for Hoyte’s challenge on Orland Semple. The Hikers were not happy with the call. Hoyte though denied Spencer the opportunity. Play resumed and a penalty corner was awarded soon after by umpire Dwayne Allen.
The reason, dangerous play – collecting an air-ball over one’s shoulder.
Hikers’ Colonel Anthony Heywood made his displeasure known – slamming his stick to the ground and using ‘colourful’ language. He was immediately green-carded by umpire John Abrams.
It didn’t end there. Team mates tried to calm Heywood, but he would have none of it. A yellow card ended his participation for the rest of the game.
The penalty corner was not converted; the Hikers defence mirrored that of the Germans at the last world cup – solid.
It ended 1-1 in regulation time.
With three penalties to shoot – both teams scored twice. A second round of three penalties: Hikers up 2-1 with Stephen Xavier looking for the equaliser. Hoyte challenged, lying flat on the turf between Xavier and the ball; a direct penalty was awarded for the obstruction.
Again the Hikers were not pleased and an animated Hoyte got in the face of umpire Allen.
With Xavier mere metres from the box, his shot on goal was dead in the face of Hoyte who slapped it down and on the rebound, kicked it out of the danger area; victory for the Hikers 2-1 on penalties.
Earlier; Tigers claimed the narrowest of victories over their club-mates Spice. One goal decided the winner and it came off the stick of Sonia Jardine in the 12th minute of play.
Hikers ladies were awarded the third place spot. Old Fort were the other female team in the competition and GCC ‘B’ were 4-1 winners in the third place playoff over Old Fort in male play.

(By Leeron Brumell)