Latest update March 21st, 2025 5:03 AM
Two GCC teams, Hikers ‘A’ register wins
Shaka Gill
GCC got the better of Hikers on a night that featured clashes between the two clubs in three divisions when the Banks Night Hockey Championships continued on Wednesday evening at Thirst Park.
With GCC having secured a victory in each of the ladies and men’s second division matches by 2-0 margins, Hikers managed to salvage some pride with a 1-0 victory in the men’s ‘A’ division.
Western Dragons managed to pull off a 3-2 win over Carib Degenerates in the only other clash of the evening.
One could cut the tension with a knife as Hikers ‘A’ and GCC ‘A’ squared off in the feature clash in the men’s first division competition.
Hikers, who had already suffered defeats in the ladies and junior men divisions, losing to GCC on both occasions, were desperate not to succumb to a whitewash against a determined GCC ‘A’ unit.
The match was hard-fought from the opening whistle as both teams seemed resolute in their approach not to give an inch of advantage to each other.
GCC’s Devin Hooper made several runs at the Hikers goal which were smothered by excellent defence and the superb cover of Azad DeAbreu in goal, while Hikers kept the game even with their pinpoint long passes to the ever-present Robert France, who lurked deep in the GCC’s half.
The match remained scoreless, however, until the 18th minute when striker Alex Gouveia made a break down the right side in possession and squeezed the trigger to blast a bullet of a shot past Michael Xavier in goal. The second half saw GCC press for the equaliser, but Hikers were up to the challenge every time and pulled off a deserved victory to surge to the top of the points standing.
Earlier in the evening, Flora GCC ladies proved too much for their Hikers counterparts, cruising to a comfortable win through a goal apiece Captain Sonia Jardine and striker Brennette Gordon respectively.
GCC ‘B’ men and Hikers ‘B’ was a closer affair, but the watertight central defence of the Gonsalves brothers, Stuart and Sean, proved impenetrable, allowing the former to chalk up its second win of the night with two first half penalty corner goals by strikers Patrick Edgehill and Shaka Gill.
Western Dragons added to their points tally by picking up the full three points against Carib Degenerates although the latter made the match as difficult as possible by drawing even twice during the battle.
Deon Carew opened the Dragons account in just the 4th minute through a swift counter-attack, but Brian Asregado drilled a powerful penalty corner strike home for Degenerates 12 minutes later to even the score. Carew gave Dragons the lead once again in the 24th minute, but Sheldon Corlette replied just one minute after to send the teams into the half with the scores locked 2-2.
The second half saw many chances go a begging, until Carew nailed the finisher to complete his hat-trick in the 37th minute, claiming victory for the Dragons.
Hikers sit atop of the men’s first division pool with 6 points followed by GCC on 3 and Old Fort, yet to score.
GCC has taken the lead in the second division pool with 7 points, followed by Western Dragons and Hikers ‘B’ both on 6, Flora GCC ladies on 4, Old Fort ‘B’ and Carib Degenerates each amassing 2, while Hikers ladies are yet to earn points.
Matches continue on Monday with the opening clash between Flora GCC Ladies and Old Fort ‘B’ followed by Hikers ‘B’ versus Degenerates then pool leaders GCC ‘B’ and Western Dragons.
The feature first division match-up will follow between GCC and Old Fort in the first second round clash of the competition.
Matches start at 18:30hrs.
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