Ballerz Empire triumphed in the maiden edition of the Rockstone Street Classic West Demerara edition, besting Jetty Gunners by a 3-1 score in the final on Friday evening at the Pouderoyen Tarmac, West Demerara.
Kevin Padmore opened the scoring in the 10th minute with a strike into the right corner following a counterattack. Jaleei Alcindor then doubled their lead as he converted in the 35th minute.
Jetty Gunners were then awarded a penalty kick in the 36th minute after Ballerz Empire incurred their third foul. However, they would spurn the opportunity as Stephon Jupiter missed from the distance. Jetty Gunners would manage to reduce the deficit one minute onwards as Tefon Fraser slotted home from the right side.
Nonetheless, any hopes of a Jetty Gunners comeback were extinguished in the 37th minute, as Ackeem Pompey unleashed a curling strike from the left side of the field that settled into the right corner.
With the result, Ballerz Empire walked away with $200,000 and the championship trophy, while Jetty Gunners collected $100,000 and the second place trophy.
In the third-place playoff, Team Family downed the Pouderoyen Brothers 3-1. Teon Jones led the victor with a double in the 20th and 40th minutes while Devon Padmore found the back of the net in the ninth minute. For the loser, Emmanuel Thomas etched his name on the score-sheet in the 11th minute.
Due to the outcome, Team Family walked away with $75,000 and the third place trophy, while the Pouderoyen Brothers collected $50,000 and the fourth place trophy.
Meanwhile, in the earlier semifinal round, Ballerz Empire squeaked past Family 1-0, as Seon Alfred made his presence felt with a 32nd-minute strike.
In the second semifinal fixture, Jetty Gunners overcame Pouderoyen 2-0. Jupiter amassed a brace in the 41st and 42nd minutes.
Tournament coordinator Esan Griffith said, “It was an exciting conclusion to a wonderful tournament. This is just the beginning; we intend to stage events in other areas to give everyone the opportunity to be a part of this emerging project. We had an incident-free event, which is very important in establishing a new tournament, and we are thankful to the players and fans who supported the initiative, and we can only grow and improve with each edition. We will take the momentum of the West Demerara leg into the other areas that are slated to commence in 2025.”
Complete Results
Final
Ballerz Empire-3 vs. Jetty Gunners-1
Ballerz Empire scorers
Kevin Padmore-10th
Jaleei Alcindor-35th
Ackeem Pompey-39th
Jetty Gunners scorers
Tefon Fraser-37th
3rd Place
Team Family-3 vs. Pouderoyen Brothers-1
Team Family scorers
Devon Padmore-9th
Teon Jones-20th and 40th
Pouderoyen Brothers scorer
Emmanuel Thomas-11th
Semifinal-1
Family-0 vs. Ballerz Empire-1
Deon Alfred-32nd
Semifinal-2
Pouderoyen Brothers-0 vs. Jetty Gunners-2
Stephon Jupiter-41st and 42nd
