The John Fernandes Insurance sponsored second division men’s hockey tournament suffered a false start as both matches were aborted Monday because both Demerara Cricket Club (DCC) and Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) grounds were under-prepared for the fixtures. Secretary of the Guyana Hockey Board Gregory Sills disclosed that GCC ground was being prepared for a cricket match for Tuesday while there was inadequate marking at the DCC venue in Queenstown. However, the two teams, Old Fort and Hikers who were scheduled to contest yesterday match at DCC played a practice match instead which Hikers won 2-1. Hockey was making its return to DCC after decades as several matches have been scheduled for the ground in the second division two-round competition. The tournament will now bully off on Friday with two matches at the two venues and are likely to feature the experienced Carib Degenerates against Western Dragons of West Demerara at Georgetown Cricket Club ground, Bourda, while Old Fort and Hikers will meet at DCC. Five teams, Hikers, Degenerates, Western Dragons, Old Fort and GCC will battle for top honours in the tournament which is expected to be completed by September 24. Matches will be of 60 minutes duration and three points will be awarded for a win and one point for a draw. The GHB had approached the executive of the DCC for the use of the ground and they consented. The umpires for the Hikers/Old Fort clash are Kevin Spencer and Devin Hooper, while the officials in charge of the Dragons/Degenerates showdown are Jerry Bell and Brian Asregado.
