Latest update February 12th, 2025 8:40 AM
Latest News
- In 5 years, Guyana gave up US$10B in taxes to Exxon and partners
- Govt. issues 30-day notice to terminate CGX, Frontera Corentyne Block licence
- Netanyahu threatens to resume Israel’s war on Gaza if captives not released
- Bartica teacher remanded for allegedly raping student
- Girl, 12, pregnant after stepfather allegedly sexually abused her and 9-year-old sister
GCC teams dominate GT&T Indoor Hockey Championships
– Hikers retain Second Division title
The Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) crowned off its successful weekend in cricket by making a resounding success of their efforts in the GT&T National Indoor Hockey Festival which ended on Sunday at the national Gymnasium.
The GCC first division men, Ladies and veterans’ teams all managed to secure gold, while the Hikers maintained their solid second division record by carting off the victory in the only remaining competition.
The men’s first division final saw a repeat of the thrilling matchup at the end of 2011 when the two teams clashed for gold in the International Indoor at the same venue. Old Fort took home the spoils by a narrow, one goal, margin on that occasion but GCC managed to produce when it was needed most this time around.
The victorious GCC Teams pose with their hardware shortly after being presented with them from GT&T representative Dexter Wyles (standing third from left) last Sunday.
Coming off an embarrassing pool round defeat to Old Fort by 11-3, GCC were left with less than 48 hours to find a solution to reverse their fortunes. The match started apace with tournament MVP, Aderemi ‘Dove’ Simon, launching a penalty corner missile high into the GCC net just 3 minutes into play.
GCC, determined not to go down lightly fought back with several goal raids and 6 minutes later, star striker, Orland Semple, managed to squeeze his shot past the right leg of goalkeeper Andy Sampson to even the score at 1-1.
John Abrahams, who was in fine goal scoring form for Old Fort throughout the tournament pushed his team ahead for the second time 2 minutes later when he latched onto an Aderemi Simon cross to guide his shot between the uprights. Semple would find the target for GCC once again to keep the scores dead even at the half on 2-2.
The second half saw more end to end action as Steven Xavier pounced on a loose ball outside the Old Fort circle drove it forward and released a scorching shot to give the Bourda boys their first lead.
Simon replied for Old Fort two minutes later to even the score at 3-3 but Semple replied with his third of the night almost immediately after to silence the vociferous Old Fort supporters. Patrick Edghill gave GCC a two goal cushion with his accurate shot taking the score to 5-3 for GCC with six minutes remaining.
The game was far from over however, as Abrahams managed to bring Old Fort back within one with four minutes remaining and that period of the game produced some of the most entertaining hockey of the year as Aderemi Simon in particular kept the GCC defense busy to the final whistle.
In the end however, it was GCC with the 5-4 victory and claim to the title of Men’s first division national champions. The women’s final saw determined underdogs, the Hikers putting up a much tougher fight than may have been anticipated by those in attendance.
With their star-studded lineup, GCC were foiled on the goal line in several attempts during the first half of the match which ended with the game still dead even at 0-0. GCC’s midfield stalwart, Trisha Woodroffe, however, took over the second half with a plethora of strikes at the Hikers net resulting in three penalty corner goals to her name.
The Hikers team that successfully defending their title on Sunday.
Hikers striker Shundel Durant managed to pull one back for her team and although national striker Cora Towler managed to score a second in the final minute for the Hikers, it was not be enough to deny GCC their fourth straight victory as GT&T national champions by 3-2.
The Hikers managed to reinforce their reputation as the top second division indoor side for the past two years by retaining the trophy with a well-deserved 4-2 victory over GCC. Randy Hope led the score sheet for the Hikers with a double, while Michael Harding and second division MVP, Aroydy Branford, added one each.
GCC’s Eric Hing and Leonard George were the goal scorers in GCC’s losing effort. Old Fort took third place in this competition with a 3-2 victory over Saints. The men’s over-35 final saw GCC dominate the Hikers to pull of the 3-0 win. Alan Fernandes scored twice for the victors while Philip Fernandes slipped home the third.
GT&T’s representative, Dexter Wyles, was on-hand to distribute the trophies, medals and prizes in the presentation ceremony following the finals.
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
Guyana’s silence represents a shocking neglect of its national interest
Peeping Tom… Kaieteur News-Guyana has long championed the sanctity of territorial integrity and the rejection of aggression... more
OAS Secretary General Election and renewed OAS Consensus
Antiguan Barbudan Ambassador to the United States, Sir Ronald Sanders By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News- The upcoming election... more
Weekend Cartoon
