Ravens / Royals grudge match set for tonight in Linden

Apr 30, 2009 Sports

Dwayne Roberts

Ryan Gullen

By Edison Jefford
Superiority must be consistently proven and that is what Victory Valley Royals want Ravens to confirm in an imminent return grudge game tonight at Mackenzie Sports Club’s basketball court as part of the Linden Town Week celebrations.

Ravens thrashed Royals in the recent Next Level Entertainment final but the Linden unit was not satisfied with the result and as such, Royals will challenge Ravens this evening in the main game of a double–header on their home court.
It will be interesting to observe how Ravens make the adjustment from the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall’s wooden surface to the concrete Mackenzie court, but they are not strangers to competition and will not risk a blemished record.

So with Royals having a point to prove with a recent blow–out against Ravens and the
Georgetown side with a reputation to protect, the game cannot be watered down to mere triviality and key ‘ballers’ will ensure it is not.
Those players include arguably Guyana’s best forward, Dwayne ‘Sugar’ Roberts and the sharp shooting junior guard, Chris Williams, who loves the hard court. Anson Durant and Mark Richards will also be important for the Royals.

Though those players, except Roberts, who was a MVP candidate, did not execute well in the ‘Next Level’ final, they are expected to come into tonight’s game reminded that they are at home and Linden will be out to support them.
But mere momentum cannot get them past Ravens. The quality Georgetown team possesses a deep bench with Ryan Gullen, Ryan Stephney, Rodwell Fortune, Damian Liverpool and junior guard Marlon Chesney at the forefront.

Apart from those central players, Ravens have the dependable and durable, Seriah Clarke and Kevin Lawrence in their arsenal. Up to press time yesterday, both teams secluded their final roster, but what is known is that the game is on.
The supporting game features New York’s GT Ballers against the rebuilding Kings. That encounter is also expected to be entertaining. According to news reaching Kaieteur Sport from Linden, ‘Ballers’ are eagerly anticipating the Kings.

As usual, Steve Neils Jr. Marvin Hartman and Omally Sampson will lead Kings’ defiance with Orin Rose and Abdulla Hamid in the background.
The game plan of the opposition will more than likely be unfamiliar to the Kings since the team is overseas–based, but good teams adjust accordingly.
Some of the chief players for GT Ballers include Odely Alleyne, Rockliff Joseph, Owusu Gillis, Timothy Alert and Kenny Chapman. The event is expected to get underway with the supporting game at 7:30 pm at the Sports Club court.