Hikers ‘A’, GCC ‘A’ serve up another thriller in stalemate

Oct 25, 2009 Sports

After their first round battle saw the Hikers ‘A’ edge GCC ‘A’ by one goal scored two minutes from full time, the two teams served up another remarkable battle Friday evening at the GT&T National Indoor Hockey Championships to draw 3-3 at full time at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall.
Old Fort ‘A’ meanwhile were in no joking mood as they swept aside the inexperienced GCC ‘B’ by 8 – 1 in the other ‘A’ division fixture. The Western Dragons held off the Hikers ‘B’ 5-4 in what is a likely to have been a dress-rehearsal for the final, GCC Tigers crushed the Hikers ladies 5–1 while the Old Fort under-19s defeated their GCC counterparts by 6-4.
A defence error allowed the every present Robert France of the Hikers to land on the score sheet just 4 minutes into the much anticipated battle between the Hikers ‘A’ and GCC ‘A. It was the Hikers who grasped the early initiative as GCC seemed to take a while once again to get out of the blocks. Michael Xavier in the GCC goal produced some fine saves to keep the score at 1 until the 8th minute when his GCC side would draw even through veteran Alan Fernandes who received a Dwayne Scott pass from the right back and slotted one past the right leg of the advancing Hikers keeper Azad DeAbreu. Scott would make it 2-1 in GCC’s favour in the 15th minute with a blistering penalty corner flick giving his team the halftime lead.
Robert France again would prove to be GCC’s nemesis as the diminutive forward who possesses the uncanny ability to create goals out of half-chances would sweep a first-time shot into the GCC goal 5 minutes after resumption to draw the teams even. The pace of the game never dropped as the two giants battled from end to end demanding outstanding goalkeeping from both Xavier and DeAbreu in the goals for GCC and Hikers respectively.
Just eight minutes from full time Shane Samuels would launch a powerful penalty corner flick to give the Hikers a 3-2 lead but GCC’s Philip Fernandes would replay in like manner just one minute later. Both teams scrambled for the win in the dying moments but could not break the 3-3 deadlock before the final buzzer.
Old Fort ‘A’ put on an 8-1 scoring clinic as they schooled the youthful GCC ‘B’ who is the only ‘B’ side invited into the ‘A’ division. Master craftsman Aderemi Simon would carve his name on the game with a hat-trick and some outstanding individual runs while Chris Low-Koan would add 2 and Dwayne Allen, Jason DeSantos and Ascofu Simon scored 1 each for Old Fort. GCC’s lone goal came off the stick of Shaka Gill.
Deon Carew of the Western Dragons possibly scored the goal of the tournament as his diving attempt at a long ranged-pass with just seconds left on the clock was just enough to guide the ball gently through the legs of the Hikers goalkeeper to give his side the 5-4 victory and a place in the final.
The Dragons raced to a 3-0 lead in the first 9 minutes of the game through Gordon McKend, Keith Sampson and Trason Corbin who scored one each before the Hikers Robert France could pull one back. While the Hikers would go on to score three more in the second half through Randy Hope, Renick Evelyn and Al Fredricks, the Dragons Andy Sampson and then Carew’s closer would give the Dragons the 5-4 victory.
The Hikers ladies were never in contention when they came into a 5-1 mauling by the Flora GCC Tigers. Sisters Kerensa Fernandes with 2 goals and Captain Sonia Jardine with the hat-trick were on fire for the Tigers while the Hikers lone goal was scored by Avonda James. The GCC under-19 side seemed headed for the upset victory over Old Fort as they held the 2-1 lead at the half, but Old Fort would march back in impressive form led by a hat-trick from Jamal Robertson, a double from Clarence Edwards and one from Kevin Melville. All four of GCC’s goals were scored by Eric Hing in their 6-4 defeat.
Hikers lead the men’s A division pool with 13 points and the final A division match between Old Fort and GCC will determine their challenger in the final.
Pool leaders Western Dragons and second place Hikers have already secured their spots in the ‘B; division final while the Hikers ladies need a substantial win, by more than 5 goals over the GCC Spartans to crack into the running and avoid the all-GCC final. Old Fort and the Hikers share the lead in the boys under-19 division.
Matches were set to continue last evening, while the finals will be played from 17:00hrs today.

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Hikers ‘A’, GCC ‘A’ serve up another thriller in stalemate

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