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GVF 2nd Int. Invitational Club Festival…Young Achievers arrests GDF; T&T’s Big Sepos beat PMTC; Vanguard lose to Yelyco
By Franklin Wilson
Despite being affected twice by blackout, the Guyana Volleyball Federation (GVF) Second International Invitational Club Festival got off to a flying start last evening at the National Gymnasium with three exciting matches.
Young Achievers rallied to put away the Guyana Defence Force Combined two sets to one, Suriname’s Yelyco won in straight sets over Guyana’s Vanguard in the first of three female Goodwill games, while the opening match saw Trinidad and Tobago’s Big Sepos also winning in straight sets against Guyana’s Port Mourant Training Centre (PMTC).
Battle for supremacy! PMTC’s Adriel Moore fights with a Big Sepos player to keep the ball in his opponents half to secure the point. (Franklin Wilson photo)
The feature match, an all local affair was indeed a thriller with the Guyana Defence Force Combined and Guyana’s number one side Young Achievers putting on a thrilling show. After going down in the first set 25-15, the Soldiers clawed their way back to win an epic battle in the second 29-27; the scores were locked at 11; 25 and 26.
This set the tone for a potential scorcher in the third and final set but that was not to be as Young Achievers proved why they are regarded as the best team in Guyana, the West Bank Demerara boys took care of their opponents 7:15.
Vanguard showed some spirit in spurts but were not up to the challenge of putting away their Surinamese counterparts, giving up the first set 17-25. The local queens were off to an enterprising start in the second set but lost their way, eventually losing 16-25.
The opening game of the night saw Berbice’s top side, PMTC putting up a good fight, but when their concentration mattered at critical moments of the game they cracked under the pressure put on by the more experienced T&T side, Big Sepos who also participated in the inaugural festival last year.
PMTC started the opening set slowly as they sought to get their focus and concentration going. In the meantime, Big Sepos cantered into the lead but PMTC were able to pull their way back through some excellent plays to tie the scores at 14.
Despite being urged on by the local fans and the other Guyanese teams, PMTC couldn’t hold off the lads from Soca country and lost the set 18-25.
In the second, the Berbice side were much more competitive, the scores were locked at 16 and 18; PMTC went ahead at 19, Big Sepos pulled back to draw level at 19 and eventually went on to seal victory, leaving PMTC on 20.
Earlier, Director of Sport Neendkumar who officially declared the festival opened, in his remarks noted that the GVF has been doing an extremely good job in promoting the sport under the astute leadership of President, Lenox Shuffler.
Kumar said Shuffler took over the leadership of the sport when it was almost nonexistent and brought it a long way.
“I want to assure you of my support and the government’s unflinching support for the further development of volleyball.”
President of the Guyana Olympic Association, K.A. Juman Yassin, in brief remarks, complimented the GVF on its initiative of the Bloc Development concept while stating that Mr. Shuffler is a valued member of the GOA.
Yassin informed that the relationship between the Olympic Association of Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname and Guyana is very strong and is hoping that the festival will grow from strength to strength each year so that it can become a permanent fixture on the calendar.
President Shuffler welcomed the teams to the festival while there were also remarks given by Linden Simmons of Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname’s Gerthrou Verdy. Tournament Coordinator Mr. John Flores chaired the proceedings.
The Athletes Oath was read by Jana Edghill, while reading on behalf of the officials was, Marlon Pearson.
Match Schedule today (Saturday November 23)
Game 3 Yelyco vs PMTC
Game 4 Big Sepos vs Achievers
Game 5 GDF vs Yelyco
Game 6 Achievers vs PMTC
Goodwill Game 2 Yelyco vs Vanguard (Goodwill Game 2)
Game 7 Big Sepos vs GDF
Game 8 Yelyco vs Achievers
Game 9 PMTC vs GDF
Game 10 Big Sepos vs Yelyco
Sunday November 24
Semi Finals (11:00hrs) and Finals followed by the closing ceremony at 19:00hrs.
Yelyco females vs Vanguard – Action in the female Goodwill Game between Guyana’s Vanguard (right) and Suriname’s Yelyco. (Franklin Wilson photo)
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