Annual Heritage Games... Central Rupununi, Region four retain male and female football titles

Annual Heritage Games… Central Rupununi, Region four retain male and female football titles

Sep 22, 2015 Sports

Members of the triumphant Central Rupununi team cheerfully display their hardware.

By Zaheer Mohamed

Central Rupununi of Region nine defeated Port Kaituma of Region one 4-1 to retain the male football crown, while defending champions Region four overcame Region seven on penalties in the female final when the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affair annual heritage games concluded on Sunday night at Everest Cricket Club.
Port Kaituma dictated the early proceedings and created several chances but found it difficult to pierce their opponents’ defence, but when they finally did their shots went wide. However Lorinzo Sampson netted in the 22nd minute from inside the area to hand the defending champions the lead. Port Kaituma drew level four minutes into the second half when Daniel Wilson found the back of the net. Central Rupununi gradually increased their pace and Peter Parks put them ahead with a 43rd minute strike from inside the 18-yard box. Chavez Hendricks increased the lead from close range after he latched on to a cross in the 50th. Port Kaituma tried desperately to get back into the contest, but wasted an opportunity when referee Deon Feassal who had a good game awarded a penalty in the 59th, but the spot kick went wide. Central enjoyed a 3-1 lead at the end of the 70-minute regulation time; Terrence Parks netted in the second minute of injury time to hand his team victory by three clear goals.
Central trounced Region Four 3-0 in their semi final encounter 3-0. The tournament’s MVP Emrich Williams put Central ahead with a shot from inside the area in the 15th before Peter Parks scored in the 28 and 30th. Port Kaituma beat North Rupununi 5-3 on penalties after the contest finished nil all at full time.
The female winner had to be decided on penalties after a goalless 70 minutes. MVP Ruth George, Jill Nathan and Andrea Lashley converted from the spot to give Region four a three nil victory.
Region four overcame North Rupununi 4-3 on penalties while Region seven thumped Region one 3-1in the semi finals. Elma Heminto 26th, Evadney Thomas 47th and Samantha Johnson 59th scored for Region seven.
Orella defeated Central Rupununi two sets to one to win the male volleyball title while Region one beat St. Cuthbert’s 2 sets to nil in the female final. Damie Daw (Orella) and Annalisa Vincent (Region one) were the male and female MVPs respectively. Laluni got the better of Region two to retain their male softball crown while Region two defeated Wiruni of Region 10 in the female segment. Sunil Sarjoo of Laluni and Cassie James of Region two were give the male and female MVPs respectively.