Trinidad ends Guyana’s hockey medal hopes

Jul 28, 2010 Sports

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Guyana’s hopes for a hockey medal in the Central American and Caribbean Games were cast aside by a determined Trinidad ladies team who dished out a 5-1 beating on the South Americans.

With Guyana needing a win to ensure a place in the semi-finals, their ladies came out pressing but the experienced Trinidad side were too much for them to handle.  Trinidad managed to push most of the game into the Guyanese half of the field and Alysa Xavier in goal for Guyana was called upon to make several saves in the early going.  Although the Guyanese tried to slow the game and neutralise the opposition’s relentless attack, Trinidad were able to make several inroads through interceptions and quick counter-attacks.

Although the Guyanese defence held firm for the first 25 minutes, the intense pressure of the opposition in sweltering heat eventually overcame them when Stacey Sui-Butt of Trinidad slammed home her team’s first after stealing possession from a defence error.  The opening goal brought new life to the Trinidadian side that would extend their lead in the 27th and 34th minutes through an Oire Trotman field goal and a Krizia Layne put back from a penalty corner.

The Guyanese regrouped and seemed more purposeful in the second half but nine minutes in, Trinidad’s Kristin Thompson extended their lead to four.  Guyana’s lone golden moment came in the 61st minute when Cora Towler received a through pass from Chantelle Fernandes to pierce the Trinidadian defence.  Towler craftily took the ball around the right side of the goalkeeper and slammed home Guyana’s first goal of the match with a reverse sweep.  Guyana’s jubilation was short-lived however as Sui-Butt would steal one extra goal for Trinidad in the penultimate minute leaving the score at 5-1 for the red and black.

“We recognised that we did not quite have the quality of Trinidad in this match,” said Guyanese coach Philip Fernandes.  “In May when we visited Trinidad they beat us 9-0 and 6-0, it would have been difficult to reverse such a large disparity in two months but the girls showed improvement this time around and I am pleased with their effort.  They are fit and competing to the end.  We lost Marisha Rodrigues from our rotation when a ball hit her in the face just before the half and that is a blow to our side going into the next two matches but I think we have the quality to still do well.”

The Guyanese finished third in their pool with two draws and a loss ahead of fourth-placed Bermuda.  Barbados in second place join Trinidad at the top of the pool having defeated Bermuda by 1-0.  In the other pool Mexico and the Dominican Republic took the top two spots leaving Jamaica and Puerto Rico in third and fourth respectively.  Guyana now faces hosts Puerto Rico in the first of two crossovers to decide places 5th to 8th.  Guyana entered the tournament seeded at the bottom and now have their minds set on securing 5th place.

According to coach Fernandes, Trinidad and Mexico are clearly the top two sides on show while the others are all competitive with each other.

Matches continue today July 28 with Guyana facing Puerto Rico at 09:00hrs, Jamaica against Bermuda at 11:00hrs, the first semi-final between Trinidad and the Dominican Republic at 14:00hrs then the second semi-final between Mexico and Barbados at 16:30hrs.

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WICB applauds Windwards for victory in TCL Group Challenge

The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has congratulated the Windward Islands team for their triumph in the TCL Group Under-19 Challenge three-day tournament. The Windwards won their first title since 2000 when they defeated the Leeward Islands by seven wickets at Beausejour Cricket Stadium in St Lucia on Monday afternoon. They ended the tournament with 39 points – nine more than second-placed Trinidad and Tobago.

Dr Julian Hunte, president of the WICB paid tribute to the champions and hailed it as a triumph for the players, the team management and everyone who supports Windward Islands cricket.

“I want to congratulate captain Audy Alexander, coach Raymond Duncan, manager Sean Edwards, and all the members of the Windward Islands team for their outstanding performance in the TCL Group Under-19 Challenge three-day tournament. It is a result of hard work and commitment which led to the Windward players coming together and performing at their best. It was truly an overall team effort,” Dr Hunte said.

“Last year the Windwards had a rough time of it but this year they rebounded in fine style. Every time the chips were down someone came to the fore with the star performance the side required. I urge the team to continue to strive for excellence, both on and off the field, and be good ambassadors for the game of cricket.”

Dr Hunte added: “Congratulations should also go out to the administration at the Windwards Board and everyone in the sub-region who has a played a part in the development of these young men. This victory is a triumph for all those who have contributed to the cause.”

The Windwards will now look to do the double and win the TCL Group West Indies Under-19 One-Day (50-over) Trophy, which bowls off on Thursday.

Upcoming matches in the TCL Group West Indies Under-19 One-Day Trophy

Thursday July 29

Windwards v Barbados at Dennery

Leewards vs Guyana at Gros Islet

Jamaica v Trinidad and Tobago at Beausejour

Saturday July 31

Jamaica v Leewards at Dennery

Barbados v Trinidad and Tobago at Gros Islet

Windwards v Guyana at Beausejour

Sunday August 1

Windwards v Jamaica at Gros Islet

Leewards vs Trinidad and Tobago at Dennery

Barbados v Guyana at Beausejour

Tuesday August 3

Jamaica v Guyana at Gros Islet

Leewards v Barbados at Dennery

Trinidad and Tobago v Windwards at Beausejour

Wednesday August 4

Barbados v Jamaica at Dennery

Guyana v Trinidad and Tobago at Beausejour

Leewards v Windwards at Gros Islet

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