St. Pius stays unbeaten en route to being crowned champions

Nov 10, 2013 Sports

– East La Penitence edge Tucville for third place

St. Pius clung tenaciously to a one-goal advantage for all of the second period to defeat West Ruimveldt 2-1 in a gripping final of the Petra Organization/Courts Guyana Pee Wee Schools Football Tournament which ended yesterday, at the Thirst Park ground.
In the third place playoff, East La Penitence squeezed past last year’s beaten finalist Tucville 1-0.
Witnessed by a large gathering, St. Pius captain Marcus Wilson, who was later voted the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, almost broke the deadlock in the 3rd minute after his booming right footed volley flew just over the crossbar.
The stalemate however would be broken three minutes later through an own goal by West Ruimveldt’s goalkeeper Kyle Moffat as he inadvertently parried the ball into his own net after denying

The victorious St. Pius Primary School players pose with the winning trophy and officials from the sponsors and Ministry of Education yesterday.

a Kamacy Davis effort.
It would soon be 2-0 after eight minutes when Wilson made amends for his earlier near miss with a fiercely struck right footed volley that beat the goalkeeper to his left.
Instigating a three man passing attack within the final third between Davis and Beveney Mark, Wilson fired home his strike from outside the left side of the penalty area after collecting a pass from Davis.
Wilson almost completed a brace 14th minute as his powerfully struck freekick crashed onto the crossbar and rebounded into play.
Mark, who was kept quiet throughout the match almost found the back of the net in the 16th minute as his right footed strike from the left side of the Park was tipped around the right upright by the diving Moffat.
Clearly being outmuscled in possession by the superior size of St. Pius, West Ruimveldt managed to pull one back in the 19th minute as Ryan James placed his right footed effort to the lower right hand corner after evading his marker on the left side of the field.
In what would be described as a gritty second period, James almost levelled proceedings in the 26th minute as his right footed volley from the left side of the pitch landed agonizingly just outside the upright.
Wilson continued to torment the opposing backline, forcing Moffat to produce a brilliant save to deny him in the 38th minute with powerful flat effort from the right side that had to be tipped around the left upright just before the final whistle sounded.
In the third place playoff, East La Penitence edged Tucville Primary 1-0 through a Leroy Sealey Yaw 33rd minute strike.
In other results, St. Ambrose gained a walkover from Redeemer in their 15-16 fixture, while Ketley defeated J.E. Burnham 3-0 in their 13-14 positional matchup.
Tyrese James led the way with a double in the 39th and 40th minutes, while Yohance DeFlorimonte netted a solo effort in the 38th minute.
In the battle for positions 11-12, St. Stephen’s edged Marian Academy 3-2 on penalty kicks following a nil-all score line at the end of regulation time.
North Georgetown led by an Oren Williams hat trick in the 14th, 25th and 30th minutes hammered South Ruimveldt 6-0 in their 9-10 placement engagement.
Tariq Saunders netted a brace in the fourth and 12th minute, while Joshua Denny completed the score line with a 15th minute conversion.
In the 7-8 fixture, Enterprise defeated St. Margaret 2-0 compliments of goals from Antonio Canterbury and Alpha Austin in the 19th and 36th minutes respectively.
F.E. Pollard through a double from Cordell Charles in the sixth and eight minutes defeated St. Gabriel’s 4-2 in their 5-6 matchup. Emmanuel Morris and Jeremiah Sookram added to the tally in the 19th and 30th minutes respectively.
On target for the losers were Teon Forde and Raymond Bandhu in the 10th and 14th minutes respectively.
In the presentation ceremony that followed the conclusion of the event, Chief Education Officer Olato Sam stated, “Thanks to Petra for coming up with the concept and thanks to Courts and Banks DIH for having the foresight and vision in making it a reality.”
“They are the future of the national team. Thank you to the teachers but most importantly thank you to the parents and players for making this a reality.” added Sam.
Banks Malta Supreme Brand Manager Clayton McKenzie said, “This was quite a successful event and I am very impressed with the skills the players possess. Banks are proud to be on board of this event and will continue to be going forward. Congratulations to the winners St. Pius.”
Molly Hassan, Marketing Director of Courts said, “Courts is extremely proud to sponsor the event. It’s an encouragement with the turnout of parents and teachers and with an investment of over $3,000,000, it was worth every cent and it will continue next year.
For the win, St. Pius received the championship trophy, a complete team kit, winner’s medals, a $10,000 gift book voucher, 10 footballs and a flat screen television.
West Ruimveldt for their showing received the runner-up trophy, silver medals, six balls and a flat screen television.
East La Penitence collected the third place trophy, four balls, a $10,000 gift book voucher and a flat screen television, while Tucville pocketed the fourth place trophy, a $10,000 gift book voucher and a flat screen television.
On the individual side, Wilson was adjudged to be event’s most valuable player, while Mark collected the highest goal scorer accolade with 13 goals. The best goalkeeper award went to Shamatiel Nicholas of St. Pius, while Wayne Ritchie of St. Pius collected the best coach award.
East la Penitence’s Christine Boters was adjudged to be the most supportive parent while St. Stephens collected the most disciplined team award.