GBTI GCC, Pepsi Hikers emerge as champions at Bounty/Antonio’s One-Day tourney
It was a rainy end to the Bounty/Antonio’s One-Day tournament on Sunday, setting the tone for an exciting hockey season. At the Guyana National Stadium, Providence, Pepsi Hikers males and GBTI GCC’s women elevated above their competition to become the winners of hockey’s season opener.
The first finals saw nothing short of pucks finding the back of the net as Pepsi Hikers males battled slight showers. Jamarj Assanah opened the scoring in the fourth minute and with heavy showers flowing in, Andrew Stuart followed in the fifth with a goal and Assanah completed his brace in the 5th also, giving them the great advantage. Eventually, Paul D’andrade copped the best goalkeeper award while Yonnick Norton was adjudicated the Most Valuable Player (MVP).
GBTI GCC, the women’s champions
An MVP performance from Gabriella Xavier resulted in GBTI GCC reaching championship status over the Saints in a rain-affected match. The puck moved at rocket speed as GCC managed to fire shots which merely missed the goal, but it was the strike from Xavier in the second minute that opened the scoring for GBTI GCC and following her was Princessa Wilkie in the fifth, placing the puck in the back of the net. Wilkie sealed the win as she completed her brace in the 16th minute.
Pepsi Hikers, the men’s champions
The One Day Season Opener highlighted both male and female teams from the prominent hockey clubs in Guyana. The competition used a seven-a-side format, a shortened version of the game, which delivered fast-paced and thrilling action.
