Asks Duncan Saul
Will defending champs St. Pius create history by successfully defending their title or can Stella Maris clinch their first ever championship when the third annual Petra Organization/Courts Pee Wee u-11 finale commences today from 15:00hrs at the Thirst Park venue.
Raymond Austin’s goal scoring exploits in the knockout stage has typified the title holder’s Jekyll and Hyde showing throughout the event.
In the process his eight knockout round goals out of a tournament leading nine, has eradicated the doubts that surrounded the side being able to defend their title, after they barely managed to get through the group stage following two goal-less draws and a narrow 2-1 win.
With an offence now capable of registering 11 goals in three elimination matches and a defence only guilty of conceding only four goals in the six overall matches, St Pius will fancy their chances of retaining their title.
However Stella Maris will be no pushovers and possess arguably event’s most versatile player at their disposal in midfielder Darron Niles.
While he might not possess the goal scoring highlights of Austin, his three goals and several assists coupled with his defensive work-rate has made the Woolford Avenue side a formidable outfit especially on the defensive end.
This is evident by his side conceding only two goals in six games and further apparent in them only conceding once in the three knockout matches.
With the old adage of defence wins championships, Stella Maris will need to produce another defensive clinic if they are to overcome the resurgent defending champs. In the third place matchup at 14:00hrs, Tucville Primary will faceoff with South Ruimveldt Primary.
In the 5-8 section, F.E. Pollard will faceoff with West Ruimveldt for the fifth position from 13:00hrs while St. Margaret’s will oppose St. Angela’s for the seventh position from 12:00hrs.
In the 9-16 section, Ketley Primary will battle Marian Academy from 10:00hrs while at the same time frame Enterprise Primary and Smith Memorial.
At 11:00hrs, St. Stephen’s and North Georgetown will do battle while East La Penitence will lock horns with Green Acres in the second matchup of the time slot.
The winner of the event will receive the championship trophy, a computer, medals and team uniforms while the runners-up will collect the respective trophy, medals and a computer.
The third and fourth place finishers will receive the respective trophy and a television. The sides finishing in the 5-16 plate section will walk away with the respective placement trophy.
