The GCC Second Division Hockey team steamrolled Old Fort 11-0 in a one-sided match on Monday when action in the John Fernandes Second Division Hockey League commenced at the GCC ground, Bourda.
With Old Fort fielding a youthful side, the outcome was never in doubt, as pre-tournament favourites GCC opened their account just two minutes into the game through a Mortimer Stuart field goal.
Stuart would complete his hat-trick before the end of the match to lead all scorers; while teammates Leonard George, Trevon Smith, Shaka Gill and Mark Sargeant each scored doubles.
Old Fort’s Dwayne Allen counter-attacks
Although Old Fort fought bravely to stop the onslaught, centre midfielder Shad Fernandes and defenders Stuart Gonsalves and Rafael DeGroot easily foiled their counter-attacks and ensured a clean sheet finish for the Bourda boys.
Over at the DCC ground, the Carib All-stars came from behind to manage a 2-2 draw against pre- tournament favourites, the Hikers, in an entertaining match that pitted youth against experience. The Hikers raced off to their usual high-energy start, and were rewarded just five minutes into the match when Winger Kenny Kansinally slammed home his shot to give them a 1-0 lead.
The veteran All-stars maintained their composure, however, and, nine minutes later, managed to draw even through a Dexter Wyles’ penalty corner.
With the game following a pattern of long hits by the All- stars being countered by midfield build-ups by the Hikers, Ryan Primo was finally able to break the deadlock in the 21st minute and put the Hikers up by two goals to one going into the half-time break.
All-stars’ Troy Peters, however, would be the lone goal scorer of the second half as he blasted home a well-placed shot past Jason Hoyte in the Hikers’ net just as the match resumed. Both teams pressed for the win, but defence would prevail on both sides, leaving the match deadlocked at 2-2 at the final whistle.
