Congratulations are extended to head coach Jamal Shabbazz and team for the outstanding performance at the just concluded Courts Classic Tri-Nation Tournament. Although the host country reigned supreme in terms of goals scored in the series which also included Barbados, our boys, the Golden Jaguars never flattered to deceive.
Their 5-0 mauling of Barbados in the series opener should serve as a morale booster for our upcoming international campaign.
In the grand finale against the host our boys were never daunted by the Soca Warriors partisan and boisterous supporters, playing with gusto and pride in a contest that silenced the home crowd for the majority of 90 minutes. For a nation that won its last international match in Trinidad 75 years ago back in November of 1947, the display by the Jaguars was nation pleasing.
Again, congrats to the Guyana Football Federation.
The last time the Land of Many Waters played an international series in Trinidad was March 1959. The Then British Guiana team finished that quadrangular tournament that included host Trinidad, Barbados and Jamaica, in the cellar.
British Guiana, playing under the captaincy of Police Sports Club Hubert ‘Senor’ Braithwaite, the Kaieteur Falls star, came from two goals down to draw with Jamaica 2-2 in the tournament opener. Playing in front of a capacity crowd at the Queen’s Park Oval ground, Jamaica opened the scoring in the 10th minute when their centre forward, Ken East, beat British Guiana custodian Baige Devonish with a well-placed shot. Five minutes later the `Reggae Boys’ went further ahead when Alvin Wong, their skillful right winger, receiving a pass from East beat Devonish from close up. British Guiana had their first success in the 20th minute when Cossor Bourne sent one in which was deflected off a Jamaica defender and gave the Jamaican custodian no chance.
Then, two minutes later, right winger Cossor Bourne sent a cross to Patsy Pieters who lured the goalkeeper out, before slotting the ball past him and into the goal.
Against the hosts , Trinidad and Tobago at Skinner Park, San Fernando, British Guiana lost by the odd goal in three in the fourth match.
Opening the scoring was Trinidad’s right winger Leonard Leggard in the second minute. Some 10 minutes later, inside left, Ronald Gray, clinched the match when he netted from close up after converting a pass from centre forward Jeff Mohan. British Guiana’s goal came in the 14th minute when they were awarded a penalty after Trinidad’s right back Bertram Hills handled the ball in the area. The penalty shot taken, by ‘Senor’ Braithwaite was like a bullet and was described as the best penalty shot ever seen in Trinidad at that time.
In the final match Barbados upset British Guiana to win the soccer match 2-1 at the Queen’s Park Oval ground. The loss meant that British Guiana finished the tournament in the cellar with only one point having drawn with Jamaica. British Guiana had the first half to themselves and opened the scoring in the first minute of play when Patsy Pieters received a pass from ‘Pico’ Stewart on the left side and placed one away from West Indies cricketer Cammie Smith who was the Barbados goalkeeper. However, Herman Mc Gowan in goal, in place of Baige Devonish, allowed two goals to slip in, the first one was deflected by ‘Pico’ Stewart when he went to block a low hard shot by the right winger and Mc Gowan was blind sighted when Barbados scored the winning goal. The 1959 British Guiana Team to Trinidad:
Hubert ‘Senor’ Braithwaite, Captain, George Green, deceased, Compton Julian, deceased, Monty Hope, deceased, Lewis ‘Waterboat’ Weithers, deceased,
Harold Blenman, deceased, Patsy Pieters, deceased, Herman D’Andrade, Kenrick Hinds, Baige Devonish, Albert Mendonca, Cossor Bourne, Herman Mc Gowan, ‘Pico’ Stewart and Sydney Campbell.
