St Pius crowned Pee Wee champs

St. Puis were crowned Pee Wee U11 champions after they defeated West Ruimveldt 2-1 in a thrilling final of the Petra Organization/Courts Guyana in collaboration with Banks DIH football tourney concluded yesterday at the Thirst Park ground.

Witnessed by a large gathering, St. Puis captain Marcus Wilson almost broke the deadlock in the third minute as his thunderous right footed volley from the right side of the field flew just over the crossbar.

The stalemate however would be broken three minutes later through an own goal by West Ruimveldt’s goalkeeper Kyle Moffat as he inadvertently parried the ball into his own net after denying a Kamacy Davis effort.

It would soon be 2-0 in the eight minute as Wilson added his name on the scorer’s sheet with a thunderous right footed volleyed strike to the right hand side.

Instigating a three-man passing attack within the final third between Davis and Bevney Mark, Wilson would power home his strike from outside the left side of the penalty area after collecting a pass from Davis.

St. Puis captain and tournament MVP Marcus Wilson receiving the championship trophy from Courts Marketing Director Molly Hasan while members of the team and presentation panel look on  (Orlando Charles photo)
St. Puis captain and tournament MVP Marcus Wilson receiving the championship trophy from Courts Marketing Director Molly Hasan while members of the team and presentation panel look on (Orlando Charles photo)

Wilson almost completed his brace in the 14th minute as his powerful right-footed free-kick from the centre of the park came cannoning out off the crossbar.

Quiet throughout the fixture, Mark almost found the back of the net in the 16th minute but his right footed strike from the left side of the park was tipped around the right upright by the diving Moffat.

 

Clearly being outmuscled in possession by the superior size of St. Puis, West Ruimveldt would reduce the deficit to one in the 19th minute as Ryan James placed his right footed effort to the lower right hand corner after evading his marker on the left side of the field.

 

In what would be described as a gritty second period, James almost levelled proceedings in the 26th minute but his right footed volley from the left side of the park narrowly went wide of sneaking inside the right post.

 

Wilson would continue his dominant showing, forcing another save from Moffat in the 38th minute with powerful flat effort from the right side that had to be tipped around the left upright, as the end of regulation time neared.

 

Desperate to find the equalizer, West Ruimveldt would be held at bay in the final moments as official Wayne Griffith sounded the final whistle to spark wild celebrations on the field.

In the third place playoff, East La Penitence edged Tucville Primary 1-0 through a Leroy Sealey Yaw 33rd minute strike.

 

In other results, St. Ambrose Primary defeated Redeemer Primary via walkover in their 15-16 positional fixture while Ketley Primary defeated J.E. Burnham 3-0 in their 13-14 positional matchup.

Tyrese James led the way with a double in the 39th and 40th minutes while Yohance DeFlorimonte netted a solo effort in the 38th minute.

In the battle for positions 11-12, St. Stephen’s edged Marian Academy 3-2 on penalty kicks following a nil-all score line at the end of regulation time.

North Georgetown, led by an Oren Williams hat trick in the 14th, 25th and 30th minutes, hammered South Ruimveldt 6-0 in their 9-10 placement showdown.

 

Tyriq Saunders netted a brace in the fourth and 12th minute while Joshua Denny completed the score line with a 15th minute conversion.

In the 7-8 fixture, Enterprise Primary defeated St. Margaret 2-0 compliments of goals from Antonio Canterbury and Alpha Austin in the 19th and 36th minutes respectively.

F.E. Pollard through a double from Cordell Charles in the sixth and eight minutes defeated St. Gabriel Primary 4-2 in their 5-6 positional fixture. Emmanuel Morris and Jeremiah Sookram added to the tally in the 19th and 30th minutes respectively.

St. Puis captain Marcus Wilson (no. 27) celebrating with his team mates after scoring the winning goal. (Orlando Charles photo)
St. Puis captain Marcus Wilson (no. 27) celebrating with his team mates after scoring the winning goal. (Orlando Charles photo)

On target for the losers were Teon Forde and Raymond Bandhu in the 10th and 14th minutes respectively.

In the presentation ceremony that followed the conclusion of the event, Chief Education Officer Olato Sam stated:“Thanks to Petra for coming up with the concept and thanks to Courts and Banks DIH for having the foresight and vision in making it a reality.

“They are the future of the national team. Thank you to the teachers but most importantly thank you to the parents and players for making this a reality,” added Sam.

Banks Malta Supreme Brand Manager Clayton McKenzie said:“This was quite a successful event and I am very impressed with the skills the players possess. Banks are proud to be on board of this event and will continue to be going forward. Congratulations to the winners St. Puis.”

Molly Hasan, Marketing Director of Courts said:“Courts is extremely proud to sponsor the event. It’s an encouragement with the turnout of parents and teachers and with an investment of over $3,000,000, it was worth every cent and it will continue next year.

For the win, St. Puis received the championship trophy, a complete team kit, winner’s medals, a $10,000 gift book voucher, 10 footballs and a flat screen television.

West Ruimveldt for their showing received the runner-up trophy, silver medals, six balls and a flat screen television.

East La Penitence collected the third place trophy, four balls, a $10,000 gift book voucher and a flat screen television while Tucville pocketed the fourth place trophy, a $10,000 gift book voucher and a flat screen television.

On the individual side, Wilson was adjudged to be event’s most valuable player while Mark collected the highest goal scorer accolade with 13 goals. The best goalkeeper award went to Shamatiel Nicholas of St. Puis while Wayne Ritchie of St. Puis collected the best coach award.

East la Penitence’s Christine Boters was adjudged to be the most supportive parent while St. Stephens collected the most disciplined team award.