Yabra tops Griga Tropical in BFL play
Good evening I’m James Adderley and we are rolling into another blast of Sports Monday. Last year Kulture Yabra and Griga Tropical were bitter rivals, but 2001 there has been an obvious decrease in the tension of this particular confrontation. After all, Griga Tropical shows only four wins through seventeen ballgames, while Kulture Yabra has been battling Builders Hardware Bandits at Belmopan for the number one slot all season long. Sunday these two rivals reconvened at the MCC Grounds and boy did it produce fireworks.
It’s not even a minute into the action when Aaron Lucario deals to Irvin “Bird” Flores, who drains the pill into the net for the first goal of the ballgame. According to referee, the protest from the Yabra team is immediate and vociferous. Referee Gerald Henry of Cayo opts to consult the linesman and the decision is made to void the goal.
The reversal incenses the Griga Captain Nelson Moss, who seizes the ball, blocking the re-start for which he gets a yellow card.
Now watch the referee occupied and the Griga team standing around in dismay when “Tilliman” Nunez fires from midfield and it crashes into the net for a 1-zip Kulture lead. That brings up another howl of protest from Griga Tropical, but this time the referee stands his ground.
This spotkick gives Charlie Slusher some problems, but when he punches it out-it’s sent back to Aaron Lucario, whose acrobatic launch crashes against the crossbar-close but no cigar.
At the eighteenth minute, Mark Leslie catches up with this long pass and his right-foot-push tangles in the net for the 2-zip Yabra lead.
Meanwhile, Aaron Lucario has the opportunity to get his team on the scoreboard if only he would pass to “Bird” Flores who is all by himself. He doesn’t and it’s back to chasing the bola.
At the other end, Donnie Tun gets the opportunity to expand the Yabra lead, but fails to get past the defence.
Off this spotkick, Griga does get some offence going, but again the “Bird” is denied his goal due to the offside whistle and at the half Kulture remains with the 2-nil lead.
In second half play, McCauley finds Emory Nunez, whose bomb just raises over the crossbar. Always dangerous from the spotkick position, Nelson Moss forces Charlie Slusher to come up with the save, and he does.
It’s Griga again looking for the goal, but Aaron Lucario allows Charlie Slusher to shine from pointblank range.
This corner kick gives Yabra a chance to expand the lead, but the shot is directly at the keeper.
Moving up in support of his forwards, Derron Jones fires this right-away bomb that bounces off the far upright. Nevertheless, the fight gets beaten out of Griga Tropical Edon “Yellowman” Rawley beats the keeper and scores into an empty net to give Yabra the 3-zip lead and that is the way it ended when the long whistle sounded.
In other results from around the league, Builders Bandits were held to a 1-1 draw with Metro Stars, but they still hold a 2-point lead atop the standings. Caye Caulker beat Jube 1-zil. Real Verdes punishes Lazio Jumex 6-1. Acros get a 2-zip W over Texaco Dolphins, while Juventus and Sagitun settled for a scoreless stalemate.
Checking the juvenile football competition, at Under-13 Mahogany Strikers and Grassroots settled for a 1-1 tie. Brown Bombers hurt Raptors 2-nil and Berger Stars clobbered Grassroots 4-1. At Under-15 Berger Stars beat Ajax Paradise 3-2. Under-17 Mahogany Strikers doubled Cadet Corps 6-3.
In Belize District football play BNBS Bombers and Ebony Lake drew 1-1. Raptors ran over Caye Caulker 6-1. Ladyville Warriors handled Mayflower Lake 3-1, and Gracie Rock Roots hurt 3rd World 3-2.
Meanwhile folks, ninth of March brings up the Belmopan Cycle Classic which cover one hundred miles on the Western Highway. Going in the American, Scot Mercer is defending champion. Then you also have the Penta 5K run, which begins at 7:00 a.m. travels through the Albert Street circuit. And of course ninth of March is sailing time as Belize pays tribute to Baron Bliss. The annual regatta moves to Gales Point Manatee this year and as you can see, this is the Baron Bliss Harbour Regatta in its glory days. Have fun in Gales Point on Friday.
In closing, we want to just inform you that the Belize Basketball Association, in an attempt to present a semipro season is convening a meeting at the City Centre tomorrow, Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. for all players and prospective players.
