The inaugural Woodpecker Products Trophy and Sports’ Women’s Hockey League, which commenced in 2015 and remained incomplete, resumed at the weekend with a clash between arch-rivals the Hikers and Pizza Hut GCC.
Hikers defender Latacia Chung and GCC striker Kerensa Fernandes battle for possession
The GCC team, which has been dominant over the past several years, went into the match leading on points and being heavily favoured to win. The opening whistle pierced the air at 16:30h disrupting the silence of a tranquil GCC ground at Bourda leading the way to the grunts, shouts and cheers from players and spectators.
With the Hikers beginning the match short in numbers, it was clear from the outset that they were in for a tough afternoon. GCC pressured the Hikers defence in the opening minutes and kept goalkeeper Sanasha Corlette busy between the uprights.
Despite the brave effort of Corlette, GCC and national striker Kerensa Fernandes would drill in the opening goal for the Pizza Hut ladies in the seventh minute of play with a powerful penalty corner strike from the top of the scoring circle. Fernandes en route to a hat-trick, unleashed a reverse shot three minutes later to take the GCC lead to 2-0.
The Hikers defence would spend most of their time taking the ball out of the net as GCC would steamroll them to an easy 10-0 victory at full time.
In addition to the hat-trick by Fernandes, Sonia Jardine and Sandy Roopnarine scored doubles, while Gabriella Xavier, Aliyah Gordon and Ulrica Sutherland scored one each.
The victory has further secured the Pizza Hut GCC ladies in the lead of the tournament with 12 points, while the Hikers sit in second place with six points. Under-21s are currently third with three points, while the Old Fort Shooting Stars are yet to secure points.
Matches will continue on Mondays and Fridays at Bourda and at Saint Stanislaus College ground on the weekends.
