Brydens Super Classic…Pepsi Hikers, GCC play to exciting stalemate in opening highlight

May 30, 2013 Sports

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Pre-tournament favourites and defending champions, the Pepsi Hikers faced off in a gruelling men’s first division battle with last year’s finalists, GCC, in the feature encounter on the opening night of the Brydens Super Classic Indoor Hockey Championships.  The Kellogg’s Men’s First division competition saw a high-paced start as GCC secured dominance in the early minutes

creating several goal-scoring chances.  Orland Semple eventually found the target for the Bourda giants 6 minutes into play and added a second through a penalty corner in the 13th minute to give GCC a 2-0 lead.  National striker Shane Samuels closed the gap with a goal of his own two minutes before the half which would find GCC holding on to a 2-1 lead.
Upon resumption of the match, Leonard George produced two stunning field goals to see his side, GCC, surge further ahead with a 4-1 cushion.  As GCC however showed signs of tiring, the young legs of the Hikers kept the pace intense as they clawed back at the lead through two field goals by Robert France and Shane Samuels.  The game reached an exciting climax when Randy Hope managed to draw the game even at 4-4 within 3 minutes of the final whistle to send the crowd to its feet.  The final three minutes however remained goalless leaving the final score at 4-4.
The other Kellogg’s match of the evening saw the youthful ‘Cadets’ take apart a rebuilding ‘Old Fort’ side by 4-0. Leon Bacchus opened the scoring in the 13th minute after an attractive series of play by the cadets, while a Jamarj Assanah double strike, in the 20 and 36th minute, were separated by a field goal by Aroydy Branford in the 29th minute of play.
The Tetley Tea ladies competition saw the Hikers Divas destroy Revelation by 5 goals to 0.  Although there was some spirited play from young Revelation players Rene James and Latacia Chung, the young side could not withstand the constant pressure of the powerful Divas.  National players Cora Towler and Marisha Rodrigues led the goal tally with doubles each while Avonda James chipped in one more to make it 5 for the Divas.
The other ladies clash of the evening between the GCC Tigers and Spice saw a more evenly contested encounter.  A stellar performance by Trisha Woodroffe and goalkeeper Alysa Xavier ensured an airtight defence for Spice who managed to stave off a good start from the Tigers.  As the match wore on however the Tigers came into their own game and capped their efforts with a fine diving goal from Captain Sonia Jardine five minutes into the second half.  The Tigers would manage a few penalty corners

in the dying minutes but none seemed to trouble Xavier in the goal as she easily swatted away the final attempts to leave the score as 1-0 in favour of Spice.
The Mr. Toppers men’s second division competition remains wide open so far with several teams performing well enough to be in contention for the top prize.  Old Fort began the evening with a big win over Saints by 6-3.  Tony Cole was the top marksman for Old Fort with a helmet trick (4 goals) in the match, while teammates Terrence Shaw and young Omar Hopkinson added one each.  Leroy Jack, who continues to impress with his solid all-round game scored the first for Saints with Hilton Chester and Joel Hunte adding one each in their losing effort.  The Western Union Hikers then stormed to a 6-1 victory over GCC in the following match as Aroydy Brandford lit the gymnasium on fire with a hatrick of goals.  Colonel Heywood added a double for the Hikers and one more came through the effort of Shaquille Assanah.  Shad Fernandes managed to pull one back for GCC who were never in contention during the match.
A battle of yesteryear took place next as the All Greys faced Ol Skool with the two sides featuring a number of former internationals.  With the pace dying much like the players in the closing minutes, the final whistle would find Ol Skool ahead by 6-1.  Brothers Philip and Alan Fernandes led the score sheet for Ol Skool with a hatrick and a double respectively while Ivor Thompson scored the team’s 6th.  Chris Low-Koan managed the lone goal for All Greys.  Hikers returned for their second big win of the night with a 10-1 drubbing of Saints.  This time it was Shaquille Assanah to lead the scorers with a hatrick while teammates Michael Harding and Aroydy Branford each scored a brace (2 goals) and Robert Brummel, Rayon Branford and Joshua Carew scored one each for the Hikers.  The Saints lone goal was scored by Joel Hunte.
Ol Skool had a rather difficult time disposing of a reinforced Old Fort as Jason DeSantos put the latter up by one in the first 5 minutes with possibly the fastest penalty corner shot of the night.  Ol Skool however would slowly reel them back in through a double by Alan Fernandes and a third goal by Ivor Thompson.  Old Fort’s Fitzroy Leith managed a second for his team but it was not enough to catch Ol Skool who would finish with the 3-2 victory.  GCC then managed to upstage All Greys in the final second division match of the evening by securing a 4-2 victory.  Shad Fernandes was on target once again for GCC, while teammates

Mark Sargeant, with a double, and Trevon Smith, with one more, gave GCC their 4 goal total.  A skilful reverse flick from Tricia Fiedtkou gave All Greys their first goal while Timothy Jonas, having provided the earlier assist to Fiedtkou, scored a second.
Matches were to continue last evening. The tournament runs until Sunday evening with all matches being played at the National gymnasium.

 

 

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