The Everest Hikers first division men’s hockey team continued its dominance of the Banks DIH Night hockey Tournament by edging Georgetown Cricket Club by a 1-0 margin in the feature encounter of Monday night’s matches at Thirst Park.
A failed clearance by the GCC defence just four minutes into the game was enough for nippy forward Alex Gouveia who pounced upon the loose ball to put his team ahead.
The Hikers would have to quell the powerful GCC attack for most of the night but young goalkeeper Jason Hoyte and the Everest defence was up to the task.
GCC’s late game attempts to gain the equaliser almost cost them as they piled players forward leaving goalkeeper Gregory Garroway to deal with the swift Everest counter-attacks but, by the final whistle, the score remained unchanged.
Old Fort was in no sporting mood as they soundly thrashed the youthful Shakatan 6-0 in the other first-division encounter of the evening.
National striker Aderemi Simon led the scoring with a hat-trick which was supported by one goal each from his brother Askofu, promising newcomer Teon Joaquin and reliable veteran Dexter Wyles.
Earlier in the evening the GCC Tigers (ladies team) clashed with second-division favourites Old Fort B who emerged victorious by scoring 4-0. Old Fort men were too fast for the GCC ladies and were able to ease the throttle mid-way in the second half after having amassed a three goal lead by half-time.
Old Fort’s lone female Rachel Wade opened the goal tally through a penalty corner rebound in the fifth minute which was followed two minutes later by a Dwight Williams field goal.
Joaquin sealed the deal for Old Fort with a double in the 21st and 50th minutes.
The Carib Degenerates needed a win against Everest B to secure a spot in the second-division final but had to settle for a hard-fought draw.
James Mentore converted a penalty stroke in the 30th minute after being brought down in the Hikers circle but the powerful Randy Hope blasted in one of his own 15 minutes later to even the score at one goal apiece.
The Everest Hikers lead the first division table with 12 points followed by Old Fort on seven. GCC is in third place with four points while Shakatan remain without a point.
Old Fort leads the second division table with nine points while Everest and Carib Degenerates share six points each with Everest tipping ahead by virtue of having played one less match so far.
Western Dragons and GCC Tigers will have to await their final pool clash to secure any points as they are both without any.
The competition continues tomorrow evening with Tigers taking on Western Dragons in the second division competition starting at 18:00 hours and Hikers ‘B’ will oppose Old Fort in second division action while Shakatan will square off with GCC and Old Fort will do battle with Hikers in first-division fixtures.
