Georgetown Cricket Club will square off with Old Fort in the opening match of the prestigious 2009 Farfan and Mendes men’s first division hockey league this afternoon at GCC ground, Bourda.

Officials of the Guyana Hockey board disclosed that they decided to kick off the tournament this week because of the prevailing good weather. The league was scheduled to start earlier this year but was pushed back due to rain.

The two competing teams today are the oldest existing clubs in the country and have faced off in many an outstanding battle on the hockey field over the years.

Old Fort will be led by the evergreen Wayne St. Jules in the defence and the crafty Dexter Wyles in midfield along with the speed and skill of the Simon brothers, Jason DeSantos and John Abrahams.

The GCC line-up features the experience of Damon Woodroffe in defence along with the speed and power of Dwayne Scott while Orland Semple and Kevin Spencer will once again look to dazzle the crowd with their exciting stick work in attack.

President of the GHB Philip Fernandes said the Farfan and Mendes tournement has been the longest running hockey competition in Guyana dating back over 30 years with its winner being considered the national outdoor men’s champion and eligible to represent Guyana at the annual Pan American Hockey Club Championships.

GCC had a strong spell in recent time winning the competition 8 of the last 10 years while the defending champions, Hikers, won outright on one occasion and were joint winners with Old Fort on another.

The Hikers will go in to action on Monday when they take on GCC at the same venue.

Bully off time on both days will be 14:45 hours.