The curtain will come down today to signal the end of the Farfan and Mendes first division hockey tournament and raise to herald the opening of the John Fernandes Insurance Service second division competition at the Georgetown Cricket Club ground.
The Guyana Hockey Board (GHB) has scheduled two matches for the Bourda sward with the feature game being the final match of the men’s first division between GCC and Hikers in what could be called a virtual final between the two top teams.
The JFIS second division will also get cracking with the national women’s squad Airbenders coming up against Old Fort in the opener. In the Farfan and Mendes showdown, GCC are the current leaders with 10 points after two rounds and the Bourda side only need a draw to capture the title.
On the other hand a win for Hikers, currently on eight points, would make them holders of the Farfan and Mendes title. Jamarj Assanah will be one of the key strikers on the goal hunt for the Hikers coming off a lucrative string of first round pool matches where he scored a number of goals in the process.
The return of Shane Samuels from injury late last year will also be a welcome boost for the Hikers. He will add strength to the solid midfield of captain Devin Munroe and Shaquille Assanah as well as Randy Hope, Robert Fernandes and Azad De Abreau who will be going all out to claim victory for Hikers. GCC’s attack will be led by the prolific duo of Kevin Spencer and Orland Semple and anchored in defence by the experienced Dwayne Scott and the energetic Raphael DeGroot.
Bully-off time is at 4pm and president of the GHB Philip Fernandes, said the presentation ceremony will take place immediately after the match.
Earlier, Airbenders will be looking to settle an old score when they take on Old Fort in the first match of the double header card starting at 2.30pm.
Apart from Airbenders and Old Fort, four other teams will be vying for top honours in the two-round tournament and they are All Greys, Saints, GCC and Hikers.
Two matches will be played tomorrow at GCC, with Hikers squaring off with All Greys in the first match at 2.30pm while the second match will bring together GCC and Saints at 4pm.
Matches will continue next weekend.
