Pre-tournament favourites Old Fort and Everest Hikers battled to a draw, defending women’s champions Raiders opened on a winning note and Malvern men were severe on new-comers Shakatan on the opening day of the Diamond Mineral Water Indoor Hockey Festival at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall yesterday.
Hockey fans were treated to a high level on hockey in the main game of the evening between Old Fort and Hikers which ended 4-4.
Marc King opened the account for the Hikers in the 12th minute with a high flick but the lead was short-lived when Canada-based player Jonathan Roberts equalized for Old Fort from a penalty corner. One minute later, Aderemi Simon pushed Old Fort further ahead.
Alex Gouveia found the equalizer in the 20th minute as the score remained 2-2 at half-time.
Gouveia was back in the goal hunt in the 27th minute before Roberts, who dazzled his opponents with excellent stick work, equalised for Old Fort in the 30th minute.
Hikers took the lead once again off the stick of Timothy McIntosh in the 35th and were looking comfortable as their opponents seemed to have lost some steam.
But John Abraham, who was lurking in Hikers’ defence intercepted a cross at the top of the circle and sent a well timed shot past Hikers’ goal-keeper to score the equalizer.
In the opening women’s match, Raiders staved off a strong first-half challenge to beat Malvern 6-3 after leading 2-1 at half-time.
Krizia Layne and Giselle Francis both scored hat-tricks for the Raiders, while Teresa Lezama and Andrea Jackson were the goal scorers for Malvern.
Malvern men’s were in a destructive mood against Shakatan, Guyana’s junior training squad, beating the youngsters 13-1.
Joshua DeFour netted four goals and Albert Marcano three while there were two goals each for Marlon Jackson and Shaune Alexander.
The competition continues today with several matches.
In the morning session, GCC will take on Everest Hikers in a women’s encounter at 09:00 h, Malvern will take on Notre Dame (men) and Fatima will meet Old Old Fort (veteran), Everest Hikers versus Shakatan (men).
Afternoon session from 17:00 h, Carib Degenerates versus Malvern (veteran); GCC against Old Fort (men ), Everest versus Notre Dame (men); GCC against Checkers (women); and Old Fort versus Shakatan (men).
