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John Fernandes Insurance and Woodpecker Products Hockey Leagues commence
The John Fernandes Insurance Men’s Second Division hockey League and inaugural Woodpecker Products Ladies League both got off to thrilling starts this past weekend at the St. Stanislaus College ground.
Hikers Maria Munroe (with ball) about to unleash a shot at the Old Fort goal in their clash last Sunday.
The action started on Saturday afternoon when the stars of yesteryear, All Greys took on a GCC team packed with stars of the future.
Despite starting the game without their full compliment of players, All Greys used every bit of their experience to play a counterattacking style of hockey which saw them get out to a 2-0 lead, through goals from Damon Woodroffe and Timothy Jonas in the 21st and 28th minutes, respectively.
As the game wore on in the hot afternoon sun the experienced legs began tire and GCC slowly took control of the match through their midfield duo of Andrew Xavier and Stuart Gonsalves.
However, it was the clinical finishing of forward Leonard George that earned the Bourda Boys a share of the points, when he dispatched the ball into the back of the net in the 36th and 53rd minutes, after some excellent midfield buildups.
Defending champions Hikers sounded early warnings to their would be challengers when they tore through an undermanned but resilient Old Fort side 6-0 in the feature match of the Saturday double header.
Hikers would return on Sunday to inflict similar punishment on a GCC side plagued by injuries and the unavailability of several of their key players, taking the victory by a 5-1 margin.
Earlier in the day, Saints recovered from conceding an early goal to an Old Fort side, again short of several of their key players, to run away eventual winners 5-1.
The highlight of the weekend however was the return of women’s outdoor league hockey to Guyana, when Hikers and Old Fort took to the field in the opening match of the inaugural Woodpecker Products Ladies League.
After several years of declining numbers in the women’s game due to migration, retirement and the loss of several, once powerful, teams such as GDF and Police the Board sent out a plea to clubs to focus on the development of female hockey.
This plea was answered by the likes of Ivor Thompson and Dwayne Alleyne who, mainly through an after school programme at the North Ruimveldt Multilateral School, recruited and developed a young crop of outstanding talents which now form the core of the Old Fort women’s team.
This, along with the outstanding achievements of the women’s national team, who were supported by a Guyana Olympic Association women’s development grant, have revitalized the sport and caused the numbers in women’s hockey quadruple in a matter of years.
Although Hikers dominated possession through their vast wealth of former national players, Old Fort compensated for their inexperience with work rate and determination.
Despite taking the early lead through goals from Nicole Eastman and Maria Munroe, Hikers would be frustrated by a stout Old Fort defence for the remainder of the match. As the game wore on, Old Fort grew in confidence and managed to break free of the Hikers high press to force the Hikers goalkeeper into action on several occasions through Carolyn Dean and Bushani Kaladeen led counterattacks.
Hikers would have to work to hold onto 2-0 lead until the final whistle.
The action continues this holiday weekend when All Greys take on Saints at 2:30pm and GCC take on Old Fort at 16:00hrs on Labour Day.
Saturday’s matches will see All Greys taking on Old Fort at 14:30hrs followed by Hikers versus Saints at 16:00hrs, while on Sunday GCC take on Saints at 14:30hrs followed by All Greys against Hikers at 16:00hrs.
All matches will be played at the St. Stanislaus College ground, Carifesta Avenue.
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