Hikers edge GCC, Old Fort Inferno and Saints share spoils in Diamond Jubilee Hockey action

The Guyana Hockey Board’s (GHB) Diamond Jubilee Independence Competition continued on Friday evening at the National Stadium, Providence, with Hikers securing a narrow victory over Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC) in the men’s division, while Old Fort Inferno and Saints battled to an entertaining draw in the women’s competition.

The tournament, which commemorates the GHB’s 75th anniversary, got underway on Thursday with GCC Elite and Old Fort Top Form recording victories in the opening matches. GCC Elite produced a dominant performance to defeat Hikers 10-0 in the women’s division after leading 5-0 at halftime, while Old Fort Top Form defeated Saints 4-2 in the men’s contest.

Friday’s action saw a much tighter contest in the men’s division as Hikers defeated GCC 2-1.

After a scoreless opening period and a goalless first half, Hikers broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute through a penalty corner conversion from David Williams to take a 1-0 lead. They doubled their advantage two minutes later when Jamarj Assanah found the back of the net from a field goal, giving Hikers a 2-0 cushion.

GCC continued to press and eventually pulled one back in the 52nd minute through Devin Hooper, but Hikers held firm during the closing stages to secure the one-goal victory.

The women’s encounter between Old Fort Inferno and Saints produced six goals and ended in a 3-3 stalemate.

Solana Crum-Ewing of Saints (right) glides beyond the reach of Old Fort’s Tinashe Henry.

Saints made the brighter start and raced into a 2-0 lead through field goals from Kaiyra Scott in the fifth minute and Makaylah Poole one minute later.

Old Fort Inferno responded well, reducing the deficit in the 10th minute when Carolyn Deane scored from open play before leveling the contest in the 22nd minute with another field goal from Deane.

Saints regained the lead in the 35th minute through a penalty corner conversion by Poole to make it 3-2, but Old Fort Inferno once again fought back. Keitanna Percival netted the equaliser in the 55th minute to ensure the points were shared.

The Diamond Jubilee Independence Competition continues this weekend at the National Stadium with teams seeking valuable points as the tournament gathers momentum.