Second Ground Entertainment ‘Ballers in the Summer’ knockout competition... Agricola defy odds to become West Side Street Football Kings

Second Ground Entertainment ‘Ballers in the Summer’ knockout competition… Agricola defy odds to become West Side Street Football Kings

Jul 28, 2015 Sports

Agricola Captain Kacy John is seen receiving the first prize of $200,000 from Tournament Co-ordinator Colin Belgrave in the presence of teammates Sunday night, at the Pouderoyen Tarmac.

Not very often you could find a team’s dream survive for an entire tournament, but that was exactly the case with giant killers Agricola, who cemented their standing in street football after winning the inaugural Second Ground Entertainment ‘Ballers in the Summer’ Knockout Competition which ended on Sunday, at the Pouderoyen Tarmac.
The East Bank Demerara-based side now has the lofty status as inaugural champs, but also the new kid on the block label after knocking off three champions considered being amongst the best exponents in the street style format in the process.
Playing in the final against North Ruimveldt, the new champs captured the $200,000 first prize after prevailing 3-2 on penalty kicks with regulation and extra times failing to unlock a 0-0 stalemate.
In the shootout to determine the winner, North Ruimveldt’s Colin Daniels placed his effort off the upright to immediately hand the advantage to Agricola.
The nifty Kacy John strode up for Agricola and he buried his chance which gave them the lead.
However, Joshua Brown scored on his attempt to keep North Ruimveldt in the fight, but the determined Agricola unit would not relent as Gordon Grant’s successful spot kick kept their lead intact at that point.
North Ruimveldt’s most experienced player Gerald Gritten netted to level the scores, but with Agricola needing just to score to take home the bacon it was left to one of the masters of the spot kick Glen Eastman to nail his effort and he did just that to instigate euphoria among the team’s supporters.
North Ruimveldt as runner-up received $150,000.
In the third place playoff, Sparta Boss rebounded from their semi-final loss to Agricola to tame Showstoppers 2-0.
Sheldon Shepherd opened the scoring in the seventh minute with a first time shot that finished into the back of the goal.
Travis Grant’s 17th minute effort from a pinpoint pass gave enough space between the two teams and it stayed that way until the final whistle sounded to hand Sparta Boss the $70,000 third prize, while Shpowstoppers collected $20,000 for their effort.
In semi-final action, Agricola beat Sparta Boss 2-0 with Eastman in the 18th minute and John’s 30th minute strike creating daylight between the two combatants.
North Ruimveldt squeezed past Showstoppers 3-2 on penalty kicks after regulation time ended 0-0.
Sponsors of the event included Golf Motor Oil and A. Forrester Lumberyard among others.