Ballerz Empire cops Guinness East Bank/West Demerara Streetball title

The curtains came down on Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ East Bank/West Demerara Championship on Saturday and it was Ballerz Empire who won the title after they edged Showstoppers 2-1 at the Pouderoyen Tarmac.

Viewed by a mammoth crowd, Solomon Austin opened the scoring in the seventh minute, intercepting a pass down the centre of the field before dribbling the final defender and slotting the ball into the back of the net.

However, Dexroy Adams equalised in the 13th minute, after Ballerz Empire accumulated their third foul, which resulted in a penalty kick. Adams made no mistake from the distance as he slotted down the centre of the net.

The score remained unchanged heading into the extra time interval. Nevertheless, Samuel Garnett recorded the winner in the 34th minute, slamming his first-time effort into the right corner from the right side of the field.

With the win, Ballerz Empire became the first team from the East Bank zone to win the coveted title.

They walked away with $250,000, the championship trophy, and also sealed an automatic berth to the national championship later in the year. On the other, the loser received $150,000 and the runner-up trophy.

In the third-place playoff, Jetty Gunners riddled Bagotstown Warriors 4-0 to receive $100,000 and a trophy. The loser walked away with $70,000 and a trophy.

In the Plate final, Pouderoyen Brothers defeated Ramsay Clan 2-0. For their efforts, Pouderoyen Brothers copped $60,000 and a trophy.

In the earlier semifinal round, Ballerz Empire edged Bagotstown Warriors 1-0 on penalty kicks after regulation time ended scoreless.

Also, Showstoppers downed Jetty Gunners 3-0. In the earlier Plate semifinal section, Pouderoyen Brothers defeated Team Antisocial 1-0 while Ramsay Clan edged Red Triangle by an identical score.