Banks DIH Night Hockey Competition

Oct 04, 2008 Sports

Everest Hikers and Old Fort top respective tables

Phillip Xavier

Everest Hikers Men received a mild scare when it took them 44 minutes to register their opening goal against a feisty Shakatan Unit, before prevailing 2-0 as play in the Banks DIH Night Hockey Competition continued last Thursday, at the Thirst Park ground.

In the 50 minutes encounter, Hikers were repeatedly denied opportunities to score through some solid defending and outstanding goalkeeping by Phillip and Michael Xavier, before eventually gaining the lead when Sheldon Corlette pierced the airtight defence with a scorching shot from close range.

Shortly after, the wizardry of Jerazeno Bell finally broke the shackles as he weaved his way into the box and swept one past Xavier.

However, the Shakatan Unit which is made up of national Under-21 players preparing for the upcoming Junior Pan American Tournament in Trinidad and Tobago continue to show marked improvement and this should serve as a welcome sign to Coach Rawl Davson.

In the other first division match of the evening, GCC and Old Fort produced patches of exciting hockey, but each failed to score, leaving the match deadlocked on 0-0 at full time.

Earlier in the evening, defending Ladies champions GCC Tigers, playing in the men’s Second Division for the first time were outclassed by the veteran Carib Degenerates 5-1. Degenerates chalked up 3 goals in the first half through a Timothy Jonas double and one from James Mentore to put the game virtually beyond the reach of the Tigers by the half.

Tigers produced a more resilient performance in the second period and had their solitary from Shebiki Baptiste, before Mentore added another and Jonas completed a hat-trick.

The Old Fort Second Division Men enjoyed a 2-0 victory over Western Dragons with field goals by newcomer Teon Joaquin and Tony Cole.

At the end of first round action, the Everest Hikers now sit comfortably at the top of the 1st division table with 9 points followed by GCC who enjoy a narrow margin over Old Fort by virtue of their +2 goal difference compared to Old Fort’s -1 with both teams having 4 points. Shakatan has failed to secure any points thus far.

Old Fort leads the Second Division standings tied with Hikers on 6 points apiece, but with a one-goal advantage.

Carib Degenerates have also secured six points, but stand in third on goal average, while the Western Dragons and GCC Tigers have failed to secure points.

Matches continue on Monday evening from 18:00 hrs as follows: Tigers versus Old Fort ‘B’, Degenerates vs. Hikers ‘B’, Old Fort ‘A’ vs. Shakatan and Hikers vs. GCC.