Melville treble launches Leonora’s Courts Optical Pee Wee title defence

Defending champions Leonora Primary opened their Courts Optical Under-11 Pee Wee campaign with a 3–0 victory over Soesdyke Primary on Saturday, as Jonathan Melville’s hat-trick led their winning start at the Ministry of Education ground, Carifesta Avenue.
Melville struck in the third, 39th and 41st minutes, giving Leonora an encouraging opening to the 13th edition of the competition. However, Santa Rosa Primary recorded the day’s biggest victory, defeating Ann Grove Primary 9–0, while St John the Baptist swept aside Queenstown Primary 6–0.
Ethan Richards scored four times for Santa Rosa Primary, finding the net in the first, fourth, 15th and 18th minutes. Kenyano Austin added goals in the 16th and 34th minutes, while Cody Dasilva scored in the 17th, Derick Augustus in the 28th and Kaydon Hill in the 38th.

Elliana Grant supplied a hat-trick for St John the Baptist with goals in the fourth, 14th and 55th minutes. Kaydon Fanfair scored in the ninth minute, Emmanuel Bobb in the 18th and Chrystian Haly in the 40th to complete the six-goal win.
Pakuri Primary also benefited from a hat-trick, with Miles Roy scoring all three goals in their 3–1 victory over Goed Fortuin. Roy struck in the 15th, 28th, and 40th minutes, while Nathan Debidin’s goal for Goed Fortuin was also recorded in the 40th.
West Ruimveldt defeated St Aloysius Primary 3–0 through a quick burst of scoring. Damari Carrington opened the scoring in the eighth minute, Malachi Murray followed in the 10th, and Omar Morris added the third in the 11th.
Another 3–0 result went to the team listed as Santa Rosa Secondary against St Theressa Primary. Ethan Richards scored in the 14th minute, Keyano Austin in the 31st and Brandon Atkinson in the 40th.
Marian Academy matched that winning margin against St Stephen’s Primary. Juan Diego scored in the 13th and 30th minutes before Nwora Lincoln added the third in the 32nd.
Caleb Tan’s double earned GIA a 2–1 victory over Stella Maris Primary. Tan opened the scoring in the third minute, but Clevon Jacob equalised four minutes later. Tan then struck again in the 34th minute to settle the contest.
GIA 2 also made a winning start, edging FE Pollard Primary 1–0 through Langdon Paulson’s 10th-minute goal. Simon Scott’s 30th-minute effort gave St Gabriel Primary a 1–0 victory over Belladrum Primary, while Lamar Matthias scored in the fifth and 17th minutes as Waramuri Primary beat Genesis Primary 2–0.
Two matches ended level. Agatash Primary and Redeemer Primary played to a goalless draw, while Colaaco and St Pius Primary finished 1–1. Zahir Critchlow scored for Colaaco in the 36th minute before Steve Fiedtkou replied in the 40th.
The competition opened under brilliant sunshine, with schools from seven regions beginning their pursuit of the national primary-school boys’ Under-11 title.
Minister within the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Steven Jacobs, offered advice and encouragement to the youngsters, alongside representatives of title sponsor Courts Optical and fellow sponsors Demerara Mutual, Sterling Products and the Beharry Group of Companies.
St John the Baptist Primary of Region Seven won the March Past, while Goed Fortuin received the prize for best team banner. Schools will continue competing on Saturdays as Leonora seeks to retain their crown.