Sports Monday: football fields, cycling tracks and softball pitch were busy over the Independence Weekend
Good evening, I’m James Adderley and this is Sports Monday.
30 riders congregated for the start of the BCA’s test race that ran 2 laps on the Boom-Hattieville Road yesterday as the new season continues under a brand new national executive. At the turn around point in the 1st lap, it’s Giovanni Lovell and Byron Pope in the lead of a compact pelathon doing good time. When the race reaches Hattieville, it’s Jairo Campos and David Henderson on the pace and they’ll hug the curve back to Boom to complete the 1st lap. Some 40 seconds later, Roger Troyer leads a chase crew bent on reeling in the lead duo. Meanwhile, on the way back to Hattieville in lap 2, Campos and Hernandez continue to hold on to the lead.
However, on the way to the finish line, we have a new configuration featuring Giovanni Lovell, Joel Borland, Robert Liam Stewart, Julio Cesar Dzul, Roger Troyer, Barney Brown, Angel Tzib and Henry Moreira now running the show. At the tape, we find 5 riders chasing a weekend warrior by the name of barney Brown, who rides for Scotia Bank and he makes the overall victory look easy. Joel Borland of Telemedia holds on to 2nd place and Robert Liam Stewart of Benny’s Megabytes takes 3rd, while Mexican, Julio Cesar Dzul and Henry Morriera rounds out the top in that order. The association will now present the time trial this Saturday and the 3rd road race is set for Sunday.
Turning to the softball scene, we join the crucial game 3 for the Cayo District Softball title staged yesterday at Camalote. It’s Roaring Creek Grace Kennedy batting 1st after bashing Camalote United 6-3 to tie the 3-game series at 1-apiece. It’s Francine Salazar facing Greta Davis who smashes this pitch to the outfield which is caught by left-fielder, Shadine Salazar for the 3rd out of the inning. Leandra Guy of Roaring Creek also comes out sharp setting the Camalote batters down in 1, 2, 3 order when Tamira Martinez raises this ball which is caught by Shadalee Ho for the 3rd out. In the top of the 3rd, Leandra Guy faces shortstop Bridget Fuller who smacks this ball over the infield bringing home Shadine Salazar and Frances Coye for the 2-nil Camalote lead.
The bases are still loaded when 1st base, Molly Coye steps up and she comes up with a hit to bring home Tamira Martinez for the 3rd run of the match. Again the bases are loaded when Janeve Salazar is served this walk from leandra Guy to make it a 4-zip Camalote lead. Make it a 5-nil score when Tamira Martinez punches this ball deep into the outfield allowing Shadine Salazar to score all the way from 1st. It was enough for Francine Salazar who cruises the rest of the way to pick up 5-nil victory as Camalote United takes the Cayo District Softball title and we say congratulations.
We also want to say Kudos to Francine Salazar who emerged the winningest pitcher, led the league with .538 batting average, had the most strikeouts with 38 and MVP honors. Melinda Blancaneaux from Wolverines led the league with 4 homeruns.
In football news, the Belize City mayor’s cup matched 3rd World against Kulture Yabra at the MCC Grounds Friday night and 5 minutes in, Deon Flowers finds Kenton Galvez with this long distance dial and he opens the scoreboard against Peter Guy. Some 17 minutes later, Kenton Galvez mounts this individual effort to make it a 2-nil 3rd World lead. At the other end, Julius Allen deals to Edward Rubio and he gets Yabra on the scoreboard for the 2-1 score at the half. Folk, immediately after intermission, Kenton Galvez gets back to his scoring ways for his 2nd of the match to give 3rd World a 3-1 lead. 3 minutes later, poor defense by Yabra gives Kenton Galvez another look at goal so he makes it a hat trick for the 4-1 score. Late in the ballgame, Galvez unselfishly turns provider for Marlon Thompson who makes it a 5-1 final score in favor of 3rd World.
Meanwhile folks, semi-pro football returns to action this weekend as the PLB launches the 2013/2014 season with 7 teams. Defending champions, Police United, opens against the B.D.F. Saturday night at the Isidoro Beaton Stadium, but could be changed to Sunday if the lighting conditions do not improve. On Sunday, San Ignacio United will host Paradise Freedom Fighters of Toledo inside the Norman Broaster Stadium while at the MCC grounds, FC Belize see action against the Belmopan Bandits. Verdes FC is resting this weekend.
Jah over all I’m James Adderley.
