The Guyana Hockey Board (GHB) kickstarted its hockey agenda for 2023 very early with the annual one-day Bounty/Antonio’s Hockey Tournament at the Guyana National Stadium last weekend.
“The tournament attracted more than one team from each club as we continue to see growth in membership within local clubs. After a 15-year absence, the Guyana Police team returned to the field with their exciting, unique style of hockey,” the GHB said in a release.
“The Police team was very prominent and successful in the past and it was heartening to see their re-emergence.”
The tournament comprised of a male and female senior division. Teams were grouped and played in a round-robin format, with the two teams with the highest points moving to the semi-finals.
In the Women’s category, the Woodpecker Hikers Ladies and GCC Tigers were undefeated, placing first in their respective groups. The semi-final saw the Woodpecker Hikers defeating Old Fort Samarai 4-0.
The goals were secured by Maria Munroe with a double and Shundell Durant and Kenisha Wills with a piece each.
The GCC Tigers took on their sister team the young Spartans in a nail-biting finish as both teams fought to secure a spot in the final. Young Sara Matthias ensured her team was in the lead by scoring twice.
However, the Tigers did not make it an easy one for Spartans and Princessa Wilkie registered a goal in fine style. The fight for the final spot continued, but the whistle blew with the young GCC Spartans in the final with a 2-1 result.
The final match of this division saw Woodpeckers Hikers up against the GCC Spartans one more time for the day. Earlier in the round-robin, the Hikers Ladies defeated the young Spartans.
The first half of the match saw both teams gaining opportunities at goal, but the game was deadlocked at half time. In the first minute of the second half, eventual MVP Sarah Klauky would intercept a Hikers pass and raid the circle finding herself in a one-on-one against the goalkeeper.
Being the prolific player she is, Sarah managed to score her team’s first goal. She did not stop there, as in the very next minute she again found the back of the Hikers net.
The Hikers ladies pressed up and were rewarded with a few short corners, but could not convert. As the press continued, the Hikers defense became vulnerable.
The Spartans midfielder Madison Fernandes would hit a ball through the field to the only player in the Hikers half, Paige Fernandes. Paige did not make any mistake in stopping the ball, running into the circle and finding the back of the net. The GCC Spartans won the final 3-0.
In the Men’s division, the Bounty GCC and Saints Splinters topped their respective groups. The Bounty GCC went up against Pepsi Hikers in the semis, while Saints Splinters were against Saints S’ Team.
It was a massive success for the Saints Clubs to reach this far in this tournament, but they were faced with having to eliminate each other in one of the best games of the tournament.
Both teams fought to ensure they secured a spot in the final. After endless raids to their opponents’ goal, the game expired with neither team converting, taking them into a penalty shootout with eventual winners being Saints S’ team.
The final saw newcomers Saints S’ and annual finalist Pepsi Hikers battle for the trophy. The Saint’s men which were made of national Under-21 players stormed the Hikers, defended stoutly.
At half-time no one converted. Three minutes into the second half, loud screams came from the Saints camp as the Guyana Under-21 captain Shakeem Fausette and eventual MVP eliminated the Hikers defense, making a pass to young Jabari Lovell who made no error in sliding to finish his shot on goal.
Hikers did everything to register a goal, but the hungry Saints S’ team held a strong defense. Saints won the game 1-0 to cop their maiden men’s senior title.
“The GHB thanks the Minster of Sports, Mr. Charles Ramson for taking time out his busy schedule to join us for the presentation. It was well appreciated by the GHB and all club members. We thank the Ministry for allowing us to use the National Stadium and for their continued support for the development of hockey in Guyana,” the GHB release concluded.
