Rising Stars tame Wolves United 2-0; Riversview edge Big Ballers United 2-1

Apr 14, 2011 Sports

Devon Elias

Jomo Hinds

By Franklin Wilson

When rivalry began in earnest in the 2011 edition of the Cellink/Pure Diamond Bartica Regatta football tournament on Tuesday at the Bartica Community Centre Ground, Rising Stars sprung the first surprise when they put away Hopkinson Mining Wolves United 2-0 in the feature game, while opening play produced an exciting 2-1 win for Riversview over Big Ballers United.
The opening game however produced lots of excitement for the small but appreciative crowd on hand.
Riversview taking the attack to Big Ballers United from the first whistle; it did not take too long for the Riverain boys to make their intentions very clear. Aloysius Edwards sent his side into the lead in the 20th minute; the end result of another well timed and executed build up.
Sixteen minutes later the advantage was doubled when Esan Mc Neil added his name to the score sheet.
The half ended with the score 2-0 in favour of Riversview and of course their confidence high while Ballers United took the opportunity to re-group and re-focus in the second half of the game.
Riversview were not as dominant as they were in the opening half but stuck it out as Ballers found their touch which led to them dominating play. It was during this period that they were able to pull one back, Hamley Martindale who has established himself as one of the leading Jet Ski racers at the Easter Regatta, was the player who rocked the back of the nets thus reducing the deficit for Ballers.

Aloysius Edwards

Tried they did for the equalizing goal but Riversview were able to defend the one goal advantage when the final whistle sounded.
Rising Stars dominated Wolves in the feature game and cantered into the lead as early as the second minute Jomo Hinds just helping the ball into the open nets following some poor defensive work by Wolves.
Allowing a goal so early virtually knocked the wind out of the sails of the Wolves who never recovered despite creating a few chances of their own. The deal was sealed in the 54th minute through a Devon Elias goal.
Initially, the tournament was slated to accommodate six teams but Beacon and Lazio were both axed from the tournament for not showing up for the march-past and official opening ceremony which was held prior to the opening matches, Regional Chairman Holbert Knights delivered the feature address.
Also sharing remarks were PNC Member of Parliament Judith David-Blair and Bartica Football association President, Carlos Prowell.
Bartica Football Association Secretary Carlton Beckles disclosed that the teams will play each other with the top two facing off in the final set for Saturday; a top prize of $300,000 is at stake.
Corporate support for the tournament has been garnered from GT&T’s Cellink, Pure Diamond, Roy’s Mining and Bobby Rasul.