Hikers Hockey Club are the 2009 Farfan and Mendes first division men’s hockey champions following their 3-0 victory over Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) Friday afternoon in the penultimate fixture which gave them an unassailable lead in the competition with one match remaining.
In a tournament plague by rain, Friday’s encounter was played under damp conditions at GCC ground and the well-oiled Hikers unit found the conditions to their liking in dishing out a convincing win over the Bourda Boys who have won the league more than any other team locally.
Both teams missed golden opportunities early in the match as they tried to adjust to the conditions but GCC found their rhythm after the first 15 minutes and worked the ball around the organised Hikers defence which nevertheless remained impenetrable.
It was Hikers who took the lead just seconds before the half time whistle when national striker Robert France slammed home a rebound from the narrowest of angles on the right side to give his team a 1-0 advantage at lemon time.
The Hikers side pushed further ahead when their inspirational coach/player Timothy McIntosh sent home a powerful penalty corner strike just 5 minutes into the second half which proved too much for the GCC defender on the post and was deflected in leaving goalkeeper Marcus Fiedtkou with no chance.
The second goal brought a change in momentum with it as the Hikers grew in confidence and began to pressure the GCC deep in defence.
With a much stronger second half for the Hikers, their efforts soon paid off when an unmarked Randy Hope found himself unmarked in the GCC circle to sweep in the third goal.
With the victory, the Hikers are now unreachable with 8 points and have secured the coveted Farfan & Mendes men’s first division league title.
The curtains will come down on the tournament tomorrow with GCC taking on old Fort at Bourda at 16:45 hours in a match that will be on little academic importance but with the opportunity for either team, both previous winners of the league to end on a high note.
GCC are currently in second place with four points with one match remaining while Old Fort recorded two points with their showdown with GCC given them an chance to improve should they beat the home side.
The tournament which started back in May suffered several postponements due to inclement weather.
