GCC teams secure wins as GHB Independence competition continues

Georgetown Cricket Club’s men’s and women’s teams recorded victories on Saturday as the Guyana Hockey Board’s Diamond Jubilee Independence competition continued at the National Stadium, Providence.

In the women’s division, GCC Elite produced the biggest win of the day, defeating Saints 7-0 in the 6:30 p.m. fixture. GCC Elite led 1-0 after the first period, moved to 4-0 by half-time, and extended the advantage to 6-0 by the end of the third period.

Princessa Wilkie opened the scoring from a penalty corner in the fourth minute before adding a field goal in the 21st. Abosaide Cadogan converted another penalty corner in the 29th minute, while Makeda Harding scored from open play one minute later to make it 4-0 at the break.

Abosaide Cadogan (right) scores for GCC with a perfectly placed deflection.

Harding added her second from a penalty corner in the 35th minute, Rebecca Ferreira scored from another penalty corner in the 37th, and Gabriella Xavier completed the result with a field goal in the 55th minute.

GCC also won in the men’s division, beating Saints 4-1 in the 5:00 p.m. match. GCC led 1-0 after the first period and 3-0 at half-time before carrying a 4-0 advantage into the final period.

Aldo Melendez opened the scoring in the 11th minute, while Frederico Cush doubled the lead in the 20th. Dwayne Scott made it 3-0 two minutes later, and Lucas Sargeant added GCC’s fourth in the 31st minute. Saints pulled one back in the 51st minute through Shakeem Fausette.

In the women’s 3:30 p.m. fixture, Hikers defeated Old Fort Inferno 2-0. Kenisha Wills gave Hikers the lead with a field goal in the 15th minute before Ariel Adams added the second in the 21st minute. Hikers led 1-0 after the first period and 2-0 at half-time.

The final match of the evening produced the closest contest, with Pepsi Hikers and Old Fort Top Form playing to a 3-3 draw in the men’s division.

Old Fort Top Form took the lead in the 10th minute through a Shaquon Favorite penalty stroke, but Pepsi Hikers responded in the 18th minute when Robert France scored from open play to level the match at 1-1 by half-time.

France struck again in the 35th minute to put Pepsi Hikers ahead, and Shane Samuels made it 3-1 in the 40th minute. However, Old Fort Top Form fought back through Yonnick Norton, who scored field goals in the 45th and 52nd minutes to secure the draw.

The competition continues at the same venue and will culminate with the category finals on Monday night.