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GCC and PEPSI Hikers battle to thrilling draw in GT&T opener
As the evening wound down for the opening night of the GT&T National Indoor
Championships, the defending champs PEPSI Hikers and GCC took to the floor for the highly anticipated men’s first division matchup. The two rivals have shared the success in recent years and have created more than a few memorable duels that went to the wire. The teams picked up just where they left off as it was apparent that the crowd was in for an entertaining treat from the opening whistle.
Though both teams stalked their opponent like a bull and matador, the Hikers won a penalty corner from their first major penetrating attack of the match and defender Shane Samuels tested the roof of the net with remarkable power and accuracy to give the Hikers a 1-0 lead. The game settled into a cautious but exciting balance of threatening attacks at both ends until the elusive Robert France slipped by the GCC defender on the left wing to gain a good look at goal. Although France’s shot was skilfully blocked by goalkeeper Rawl Davson, National and Hikers Captain Devin Munroe fired back the rebound to give his side a 2-0 cushion three minutes before halftime.
With the half all but over, three minutes was all it took for national midfielder Orland Semple to put on a clinic on scoring by latching onto two passes in like manner in the 18th and 19th minutes, levelling the scores at 2-2 with a pair of diving finishes.
GCC’s Eric Hing seemed to have stolen the victory for his side deep into the second half when he slid a shot from the narrowest of angles to catch the Hikers keeper unprepared. With GCC up by one goal and only three minutes remaining till full time, the Hikers chances of saving the game slipped further away when guest player Orlando Guirola of Cuba received a green card and a temporary suspension from the playing area. Hikers’ striker Jamarj Assanah chose this moment to show his class as he received a pass from the left before carving his way through three GCC defenders to fire a shot at goalkeeper Davson. Davson parried the shot in fine fashion but Captain Devin Munroe was there once again for the put back, and final goal of the match, drawing the score at 3-3.
Earlier in the evening in the other men’s first division matches, Old Fort schooled the Jaguars by a 7-3 margin, while the Pumas dispatched Saints 5-2.
The lone ladies match saw a brilliant performance by Panthers striker Shebiki Baptiste en route to a 3-0 beating of the Hikers. Baptiste scored the opening two goals for her side and put the game beyond doubt before Tiffany Solomon added the third and final goal from a penalty corner.
In the men’s second division competition, Old Fort defeated Saints 3-0, while the battle of newcomers saw Phoenix edge past Saint Stanislaus College 1-0. GCC then rounded out a solid evening of matches with a 1-0 victory over the Hikers.
Matches continue for the rest of the week at the national gymnasium with the finals being played from 17:00hrs on Sunday.
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