Hikers hammer national squad in high scoring match

GCC ‘B’ upset Old Fort

Hikers hammered the national men’s squad, Old Fort ‘A’ suffered an early upset loss and the national females were also defeated on the opening night of the Mr. Toppers-sponsored Indoor Six-a-side Hockey tournament at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall on Monday night.

Star striker Jerry Bell hit home five goals as Hikers clubbed members of the national squad made up of players from Old Fort and the Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) 10-5 in a high-scoring exciting encounter.

The nationals struck the first blow when Dwayne Scott found the back of the net with a field goal in the 7th minute but Devin Munroe equalized for Hikers in the 14th minute as three goals were scored in the space of one minute with Leonard George pushing the nationals further ahead before Robert France equalized for Hikers.

Bell started his rampage in the 19th minute from a penalty corner to give his team a 3-2 lead at half time but Scott once again scored at the resumption of play to level the scores.

Bell struck in the 29th, 30th, 32nd and 33rd minutes while Munroe, Alex Gouveia and Randy Hope scored one each for the victorious Hikers while Aderemi Simon and John Abrahams netted the other goals for the nationals.

GCC ‘B’ team sounded an early warning to their senior counterparts when they humbled Old Fort ‘A’ 7-4 in a fast-paced showdown.

Comprising several junior nationals GCC got off to a brisk start when Shaka Gill struck in the 2nd minute but Dwayne Alleyne equalized before Andrew Xavier and Trevon Smith pushed GCC to a 3-1 lead at half time.

Second half substitute John Abrahams scored a hat trick in three minutes to bring Old Fort back into the game but Gill, Stuart Gonsalves, Chris Xavier and Leonard George ensured that GCC secured victory.

GCC Tigers female team squeezed past the national female squad 5-4 in a scorcher after leading 4-2 at half-time.

Karensa Fernandes scored a double while there was one goal apiece for Brenette Gordon, Sonia Jardine and Tiffany Solomon.

The scorers for the nationals were Gabrielle Xavier, Avonda Garnett, Cora Towler and Carol Caine.

GCC senior men’s team also won handsomely with a 13-2 triumph over Western Dragons ‘A’ of West Demerara.

Kevin Spencer netted seven goals, Dwayne Scott four while there was one a piece for Alan Fernandes and Orlando Semple.

Deon Carew netted both goals for the West Demerara side whose junior team also suffered a 3-0 defeat at the hands of veteran side Carib Degenerates.

The Dragons kept their senior counterparts at bay for most of the first half before Troy Peters sent Degenerates into the lead almost at the stroke of half time. Timothy Jonas and James Mentore both scored in the second half for the seasoned campaigners.

Hikers ‘B’ also made light work of Old Fort ‘B’ 7-0 in the battle of the junior players.

Akeem Thompson and Ryan Primo scored a double each while there was one each for Shaquelle Assannah, Andrew Stewart and Michael Harding. The competition continues this evening with four matches at the Sports Hall starting at 18:00 hours.

Hikers will take on GCC Spartans in a ladies match, GCC `A’ will square off with their ‘B’ teammates, Hikers ‘A’ will oppose “Old Fort ‘A’ and Dragons will battle with the Nationals.