C.T.C. takes Sir Andie Invitational

Good evening I’m James Adderley and here’s your fresh dish of Sports Monday. Fresh off the presentation of the national softball tournament, the Belize Softball Federation followed up by staging the prestigious invitational inside Roger’s Stadium yesterday in Belize City.

Four teams made a bid for the title this year under the double elimination format. Camalote Duurly’s beat B.T.L. 3-zip to get things off, defending champion Team C.T.C. smoked Esperanza 4-2 and then crushed Camalote 4-zip. But then ousted Esperanza 4-1 and then squelched past Camalote 4-3 to get into the championship round.

Folks we joined the action in the top of the third with Camalote Duurly’s enjoying a 3-zip lead over the phone company.

There’s runner on third when up steps the big bat of Ruth Lamb who singled Martha Rhys home. When Barbara Cadle stands in to bat, the bases are loaded with one out, so she delivers this sacrifice fly off Francine Salazar to make it a 3-2 ballgame.

This gives B.T.L. pitcher Mary Flowers much needed motivation as she gets the first batter to fly out. Laura Bradley then becomes another victim, with the strike out and Shadine Salazar is forced to hit to second base as B.T.L. cuts down the lead runner to end the fourth. Mary Flowers certainly helps her own cause with this long single that scores Lydia Cacho all the way from second to tie the ballgame at 5 apiece.

We’re into extra innings tied at 5 apiece when B.T.L. pulls out this game saving double play. Imogene Coyi hits the sack fly hard but not hard enough to score Francine Coyi from third.

Here’s the game winner though people. Francine Salazar fires this wild pitch, Mary Flowers tags and steals home to oust Camalote 4-3 and head to the championship series against undefeated C.T.C. waiting in the wings.

It’s Mary Flowers leading the B.T.L. charge in money time against Team C.T.C., but she does put a physical hurt on pitcher Carla Humes who naturally walks after being hit.

With two on in the first, Ashanti Anderson beats out this throw as Lisa Jones scores the first run of this ball game. However, the big bomb comes from Lynette Gabourel who bunts of all things people! The throw to first from Flowers is errant and two more runs come in to score.

When Sophie Smith smacks Flowers hard, it’s over the head of the out-fielder. Sharette Jones brings home yet another run. Marsha Wills singles down the third base line to bring Smith in. It’s a 7-run C.T.C. explosion in the very opening inning.

The second inning also brings more success to the C.T.C. bats. Sharette Jones gets hold of this one as Anderson and Gabourel score for an 8-1 C.T.C. lead.

The score is 8-4 in the fourth and Ashanti Anderson adds to the C.T.C. total with this hit. Greta Davis scores for the 9-4 lead. The final out in the seventh inning comes when Ruth Lamb fails to punch the ball past the infield. She’s thrown out at first, C.T.C. goes on to post the 13-6 big W thereby claiming the Sir Andie trophy 2005 in undefeated fashion. We say kudos to team C.T.C., you’re monstrous.

In fact folks, C.T.C. has won this tournament three years in a row and as a result, now gets to keep the Sir Andie trophy permanently. We must give maximum respect to Rudolph Anderson, a Belizean who has sponsored this tournament for the last fifteen years. And to Sir Andie who says year sixteen will be even better, we say hail the man. By the way folks, for Team C.T.C. and B.T.L., what a difference a week makes. But it’s sweet revenge for C.T.C.

Turning to the cycling scene, some thirty riders stepped up to the Kevin’s Barber Shop non-elite ride staged yesterday on the Western Highway from Belize City to Hattieville and back. And there is excitement in the air when they do take off.

Here’s a view at the turn around point at mile twelve and some dozen riders have established dominance as a unit in this ride. As we fast forward to the finish, there are six riders coming in fast. Watch Michael Henry burns some asphalt to take top honours, Wilmot Simmons edges Joseph Ingram for second, our colleague Chris “The Mighty” Mangar pulls up fourth, Andrew Moody takes fifth, while the Dread registered only as Stanley settles for sixth.

Meanwhile folks, the Channel Broadcasting Company also held its non-elite ride yesterday. Miguel Leal took top honours in the male division, while Ernest Olivera pulled up second. On the female side, Wendy Oxley handily beats Michelle Nicholas for that W. we send our congratulations.

In other cycling news, the Tour de Santino, an annual fixture on the September celebrations is set for this weekend beginning Friday with the forty-two mile ride from Acroz headquarters to Boom and back. Saturday brings the fifty-mile ride from Belmopan to the same finish in front of the Acroz corporate headquarters on the Western Highway, while Sunday will feature the twenty-four mile criterium ride around the Yabra circuit. You won’t want to miss it; it’s a part of the celebrations. Bring out the kids, bring out everybody you can bring out.

Finally folks, the RFG Insurance semi-pro football tournament obviously did not get off this weekend as advertised. We understand from our sources it’s due to mounting registration problems. Some players seem to be attached to more than two teams. As soon as we get the new date, we’ll certainly pass it on.

However, that’s it for now, we want to thank our cameramen for their great work over the weekend. Jah over all, I’m James Adderley.