Cummings Lodge, Carmel to battle for male championship

…Campbellville and East Ruimveldt to contest female finale

Once the weather holds and sunshine prevails tomorrow, the finals of the ExxonMobil Boys’ and Girls’ Under-14 Football tournament will be contested in what is expected to be riveting action.

On the cards for tomorrow are the male and female finals and the male third place playoff. The female version of the third place playoff was contested last weekend, and as fate would have it, Charlestown Secondary pulled off an impressive comeback to take the third position with a 6-0 victory over Tucville. Secondary.
However, during that encounter, the once sunny weather drastically reversed itself, causing postponement of the female final between New Campbellville and East Ruimveldt Secondary schools.
When the young ladies take to the Ministry of Education Field on Saturday, March 3, both sides are expected to play their hearts out to get their hands on the grand prize, which would allow the winning school to choose a school project to be completed by oil and gas giants ExxonMobil.
The East Ruimveldt female squad will be facing an uphill task as they prepare to take on New Campbellville, who have been lethal throughout this 2019 tournament. The only blemish on East Ruimveldt’s record has been a loss to 2018 champions Charlestown Secondary, but the young ladies from ‘back school’ have since defeated every opponent they have come against, including Tucville Secondary 2-0 in the semifinal, from whence they sealed their final spot.
New Campbellville Secondary are, however, yet to lose an encounter since June, when the tournament began. With wins as large as 8-nil, they have managed to edge past the dominant Charlestown Secondary 3-2 in order to progress to the final.
Given both extensive knowledge of the game and competitiveness displayed by both female teams, the finale, which will be staged at 14:00hrs, promises to be exhilarating and suspenseful.
A new male champion will also be crowned on Saturday, because last year’s winners, Chase’s Academy, did not participate in this year’s tourney. The final showdown will feature a battle between East Coast and Georgetown teams, as Cummings Lodge Secondary and Carmel Secondary battle for this year’s spoils.
While Carmel Secondary have not shown any sharp-shooting skills in the scoring arena, their players Ian Daniels and Shem James have been consistent for the Georgetown team, scoring in almost every game played. However, what Carmel does have is an alert defense, although they managed to hold off the skilled Dolphin Secondary in last week’s semifinal game.
A solid defense on Carmel’s part would be key to pressuring Cummings Lodge, who have thus far been able to score freely in every match contested. Cummings Lodge Secondary have been able to rack up massive wins similarly to their 9-0 victory over Queenstown Secondary in the semifinal.
Jitzak Martinez and Shiloh Adams have thus far been the leading men for their teams. Both boys have scored hat tricks and helmet tricks in this year’s tournament.
Given that Cummings Lodge’s defense has not yet been tested and Carmel have strong custodians close to the net, the male final will see fireworks as both sides battle to prove that they are the best under-14 school team in the nation.
Prior to the two championship games, the male third place playoff will be contested. Queenstown Secondary will go toe-to-toe with Dolphin Secondary at 13:00hrs for the third position.
The ExxonMobil under-14 tournament has been organised and run by the Petra Organisation. The Ministry of Public Health are also supporting the tournament through their “fight against chronic diseases” campaign. (Jemima Holmes)