Defending men’s champions Georgetown Cricket Club “A” sent out an early warning to their opponents when they humbled Carib Degenerates 13-0, while Old Fort “A” battered Everest ‘B’ by a similar 13-0 margin on the opening night of the GT&T sponsored National Indoor Hockey championships at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
GCC, the defending men’s champions controlled the entire contest against a depleted Degenerates team which included three female players including the goalkeeper.
Orlando Semple hit home five goals in the match as GCC held a 6-0 lead at half time. Alan Fernandes and Kevin Spenser each scored a double while there was one goal apiece for Devin Hooper, Errol Toppin, Philip Fernandes and Rawl Davson.
Old Fort ‘A’ were also severe on Everest in their men’s game with Askofu Simon going on a rampage with five goals in the contest.
He received valuable support from Dwight Sullivan and John Abraham who each scored two goals, while Adrian Brandt, Chris Low and Jason De Santos netted one apiece.
Despite the goal-scoring onslaught, the game of the night was between 2007 Diamond Mineral Water International Indoor champions Everest Hikers ‘A’ who found themselves in a tough encounter against GCC ‘B’ but prevailed to win 4-3.
Everest striker Jerezeno Bell once again was in top form netting a hat-trick, while Robert France scored the other goal for the winners.
Shacha Gill scored a double for the Bourda side while Chris Xavier netted the other.
The exciting opening men’s match saw Old Fort ‘B’ come from a 3-1 deficit at the half to draw 4-4 with the Guyana Police Force.
The Cops chalked up three early goals to establish a comfortable lead through Dwight McCalman, Michael Bourne and Rawle Haynes before Old Fort could finally get on the score-sheet through Dexter Wyles.
In the second half the crafty veteran, Wyles would add two more and Robert Hussein a single to give Old Fort its first lead of the game before McCalman recorded his second goal in the 34th minute to leave all scores tied at four apiece. The ladies took centre stage next with the defending champions GCC Tigers taking on their junior counterparts the GCC Spartans. The Spartans looked the more determined side in the early going by holding strong against their formidable opponents and despite going down by two through a double from Tigers Captain Sonia Jardine, managed to pull one back via promising junior striker Gabriella Xavier.
As expected, the Spartans crumbled under the pressure as the match wore on and the powerful Tigers took control of the second half pouring in three more unanswered goals by Vanessa Pires, Kerensa Fernandes and one more from Jardine to complete the 5-1 score line. The competition continues today at the CASH with Police taking on Everest A at 15:00 h followed by GCC ‘B’ coming up against Western Dragons at 16:00 hours.
Spartan will battle with Supermix at 17:00 hours with Everest meeting Degenerates at 18:00 h.
The ladies will be in action again with Tigers squaring off with Hikers at 19:00 hours before GCC ‘B’ takes on Police in a men’s encounter.
The final two matches of the evening will pit Dragons against Everest ‘A’ and GCC A versus Everest ‘A’.
The finals will be played off tomorrow.
