By Duncan Saul in Kumaka
Photos by Orlando Charles
The largest crowd to date at the Kumaka ground witnessed the solidification of a dynasty as defending Region #1 champs Port Kaituma claimed their third title in five years, overcoming Santa Rosa 4-2 on penalty kicks yesterday in the Digicel Secondary Schools Championship.
With the soggy conditions playing the catalyst for a physical 1-1 score at the end of the normal time interval, the dreaded lottery that is the shoot-out was signalled by the official to decide who would lay claim to the title.
First up was Port Kaituma’s Ishmael Glen who made no mistake as he fired his effort past the custodian Imeron James. The hosts would then get off to the worst possible start as Keith DaSilva placed his right- footed effort wide of the lower left corner, stunning the home support.
The visitors would quickly capitalise on Santa Rosa’s misfortune, netting their second attempt compliments of a Ronaldo Abrams conversion. Hyde Williams would get the home side on the board as he netted their second attempt from the distance.
James would then give the home support a reason to celebrate in the third round, denying Port Kaituma’s Delroy Daniels to his left. The score would then become 2-2 going into the fourth round as Alex Harris netted Santa Rosa’s third attempt, igniting loud celebrations.
The pressure would then be placed back on the home side as Carlos Matthews netted Port Kaituma’s fourth kick. The ensuing strain would eventually get to the home’s side fourth kicker Dwayne Rebeiro, who lashed his attempt high over the crossbar, much to the disappointment of the gathering.
Merely needing to score to successfully defend their title, Port Kaituma’s Michael Jonas would make no mistake from the distance, placing his effort into the right hand corner to commence the celebrations on the field.
With the win, Port Kaituma collected the championship trophy, winners’ medals and new team kits. They also earned the right to represent the zone against Region #2 champions Charity Secondary in the national playoff on Saturday at the same locale.
On the other hand, Santa Rosa walked away with the runners-up accolade and medals. Preceding the fixture’s dramatic end, Santa Rosa took the initial lead in the 16th minute through DaSilva following a spell of pressure.
Lurking within the right side of the penalty box following a right-sided cornerkick, DaSilva upon pouncing on a poorly attempted clearance, lashed his effort off the leg of the defender which in turn wrong-footed the keeper Boyd Griffith and settled into the lower left corner.
Port Kaituma would eventually fashion their best chance of the opening period in the 27th minute as Mark Williams fired his left-sided shot just over the crossbar from within the box, after collecting a lobbed pass.
Nevertheless the visitors would not have to wait long in the second period to level the fixture as Trevor Morallis scored in the 59th minute.
Positioned within the six-yard box awaiting a right-sided cross from a free kick, Morallis would rise high above his marker to place a header into the top right-hand corner, stunning the vocal home crowd in the process.
Despite grabbing the equaliser, Port Kaituma almost surrendered the go-ahead goal in the 73rd minute as shot-stopper Griffith made a desperate crunching tackle on Deon Gomes within the right side of the box, after the defender allowed an errant pass to run free into the area from the left side of the field.
Over at the Skeldon Community ground, Berbice High School defeated Guysuco Training Centre 4-3 in a semi-final affair. Shemar Arrindell led the winners with a double in the third and 21st minutes while Rawle Bourne and Tozu Aaron netted in the 23rd and 57th minutes respectively.
On target in the loss was Jamal Butts with a double in the ninth and 17th and Paul Williams with a solo effort in the 42nd minute.
Yesterday, three-time losing national finalist Waramadong Secondary moved one step closer to the national playoff tournament, defeating Bartica Secondary by a 3-1 score line to claim their fifth consecutive Region #7 finale. Action in the tourney is slated to continue today at various venues across the country.
