Cadets powered by dynamic forward Aroudy Branford’s helmet trick on either side of half time defeated Hikers 5-2 in a first division encounter as action in the Brydens Super Classic Indoor Hockey Tournament continued at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue on Thursday.
On the back foot following a Robert France seventh-minute strike, Branford would level proceedings in the 17th minute following a counterattack that was clinically finished to the bottom right hand corner.
Branford would double his tally just before the half time interval in the 19th minute following a defence mistake by the Hikers backline. Intercepting a pass within the attacking third, Branford easily evaded his marker to smash home his effort beyond the reach of the Hikers custodian.
Resuming hostilities in the second half, Branford would push his side further ahead while completing his hat trick in the 22nd minute through a well-placed strike from the right flank. Branford’s helmet trick was deservedly completed in the 31st minute from a strike to the lower left hand corner.
In the ladies division, Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) Spice led by a second half brace by Trisha Woodroffe in the 23rd and 39th minutes defeated arch rivals Hikers Divas 3-1. Samantha Fernandes added to the GCC victory through a 24th minute goal. Marisha Rodrigues pulled one back for the Divas unit in the 25th minute.
Jamarj Assanah’s five-goal haul in the 14th, 15th, 16th, 22nd and 37th minutes led Hikers to a 13-1 thrashing of All Greys in their second division matchup. Michael Harding contributed to the score line with a hat trick in the 12th, 25th and 33rd minutes while Cove Bowman netted a double in the 28th and 31st minutes.
Further goals by Branford, who also plays in the second division, Colonel Heywood and Shaquille Adams in the 17th, 18th and 26th minutes respectively completed the lopsided encounter. Azad DeAbreu recorded a consolation goal for the losers in the 38th minute.
GCC and Old Fort played to a three-all draw in their second division contest. Mark Sergeant led the Bourda side with a hat trick in the sixth, 31st and 33rd minutes. Old Fort earned a share of the spoils through an Onassis Fraser double in the 12th and 22nd minutes and a Terrence Shaw strike in the 24th minute.
In the final second division encounter of the evening, the evergreen Faded Glory through a four-goal burst by Alan Fernandes in the 16th, 18th, 32nd and 34th minutes blanked Saints 6-0. Ivor Thompson and Marcus Fiedtkou padded the score in the sixth and 40th minutes respectively.
Action continues today with five fixtures programmed to commence at 17:30hrs at the same venue. In the opening encounter, All Greys will oppose Saints in a second division matchup while fellow divisional opponents Old Fort and Hikers will lock horns at 18:20hrs.
Bourda side GCC will take on Faded Glory at 19:20hrs to round off the second divisional matchups for the evening. On the distaff side, Revelations will oppose GCC tigers at 20:00hrs. In the feature contest Old Fort will face off with GCC in an eagerly anticipated first division matchup.
