Showstoppers gunning for fourth consecutive trophy

- Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ West Demerara/East Bank Demerara championship

Flashback - Andrew Murray of Brothers United [dark green] and Jamal Hamilton of Ballers Empire and racing towards a loose ball during their semi-final clash at the Pouderoyen Tarmac in the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ West Demerara/East Bank Demerara Championship
Flashback – Andrew Murray of Brothers United [dark green] and Jamal Hamilton of Ballers Empire and racing towards a loose ball during their semi-final clash at the Pouderoyen Tarmac in the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ West Demerara/East Bank Demerara Championship

Will history be created today in the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ West Demerara/East Bank Demerara championship, when three- time defending champion Showstoppers battle Brothers United in the grand finale at the Pouderoyen Market Tarmac? 

Home side Showstoppers will be chasing history, as they aim to become the first team to secure four consecutive zonal championships in the entirety of the event, following five successive final’s appearance. 

The victims that fell in their attempts to dethrone the champion were Boom-Bang, Up-Like-7 and Up-Top Bosses in the group round, before quarterfinal and semi-final victories over West Side Ballers and Up-Top-Bosses sealed their place in the finale. 

In attack mode, the star-studded Showstoppers side of Marvin Josiah, Trayon Bobb, Stephon Jupiter and Dexroy Adams, has recorded a tournament leading 12 goals. 

Defensively, the champions have been even more formidable, as they are yet to concede, which is a troubling stat for their impending opponent.  

On the other hand, Brothers United defeated Genna and Dream-Team in the group round, before securing tense wins over Bagotstown Warriors and Ballers Empire in the quarterfinal and semi-final respectively. Their only loss came at the hands of 2018 losing finalist ESPN.  

In terms of the numbers, Brothers United has tallied three goals, while their backline has allowed an unwanted four conversions.  

According to an official release, Travis ‘Zoti’ Bess, coordinator of the competition said, “The final should be a very competitive game, Showstoppers will have the edge because this is their fifth consecutive final appearance while only the first for Brothers United. However you should not count out Brothers United due to the fact that they have skilled players like Ryan Thomas, Andrew Murray and Hoyte brothers Adami and Gadi who are capable of upsetting the champions.”

According to Bess, “On the other hand, Showstoppers will have the support of the fans because they are from the Pouderoyen area and they are the number one team in the district for several years. They are the favourite to win the finale again and will depend on the likes of Trayon Bobb, Dexroy Adams, Marvin Josiah, Stephon Jupiter and Emmanuel Thomas. Overall it will be an exciting night for the fans, with the third place match, plate final and a few exhibitions games before the championship match.” 

Prior to the finale, the third place matchup between Up-Top-Bosses and Ballers Empire will be staged, while the Guinness Plate final between ESPN and West Side Ballers will also occur.

Winner of the event will collect $500,000 and a trophy, while the runner-up will receive $250,000 and the corresponding accolade. On the other hand, the third and fourth place teams will pocket $200,000 and $100,000 respectively and a trophy. The tournament is also sponsored by Colours Boutique, supplier of the team uniforms.