After four grueling days of indoor hockey at the National Gymnasium, the Pepsi Hikers relied on experience and wile to emerge as champions of the feature Men’s Open category after a creditable challenge from the youthful Saints.
In the feature and final match of the night in front of a full house, the Hikers took first advantage with a well-finished team move as skipper Devin Munroe fittingly slammed home a field goal in the fourth minute. However, from that point on, the Saints seized control of the game and never relented, scoring three consecutive goals to leave the Hikers in panic mode.
First, Saints’ Jabari Lovell netted in the 14th minute with a well-taken goal from a penalty corner after the Hikers defence collapsed, and then just two minutes later, the talented Shakeem Fausette converted via the same route. Shomere Garnette in the second half further bolstered his side’s chance of a win with a field goal in the 32nd minute.