Football and other sports back underway
Good evening, I’m James Adderley and you’re most welcome to this delivery of Sports Monday.
The current flooding of the Jewel continue to plague the nation but the football community felt it was time to return to action over the weekend and indeed the B.P.F.L. was able to successfully conclude all four games over the weekend in this playoffs. We journeyed to Orange Walk yesterday to see if the Belize Defence Force would be able to stave off elimination against the super power Suga Boys Juventus who beat the military 4-2 in game one of this home and away series at the M.C.C. Grounds three weeks ago. Thus, it was no fluke that the B.D.F. roared out of the starting blocks in an effort to continue as a part of this year’s post-season. And when we say roared out we’re certain we cannot be accused of wanton embellishment. However, all that momentum was quickly lost when Christopher Hendricks sets up his brother Deon Flowers who shakes the net for the 1-zip Suga Boys lead in the early game. A few minutes later it might have been 2-zip O.W. lead had not goalkeeper make this necessary intervention against this Christopher Hendricks run. And folks let’s just say on this play Christopher Hendricks takes too long to pull the trigger. At the other end, Dion McCauley sets table for Deon Flowers who could provide the tie only to see hum batch the launch. Talk about poor defending people O.W. literally gifts this ball to sixth Ebanks Mariano and just like that we have a 1-1 ballgame five minutes before the half expires.
Five minutes into second half Christopher Hendricks comes out of nowhere to head this ball into the net as Juventus jumps to a 2-1 lead. On this press Oliver Hendricks gets half a chance to put this game and the series out of reach but the goalkeeper gives up his body for the B.D.F. to keep the B.D.F. dream alive. Folks O.W. will have to tighten up its defense because they take a ball that should have been easily cleared and gave it to Evan Mariano who attempts the shot; it is tapped in for the 2-2 ballgame. Mariano was credited for this particular goal but it certainly was no scored by number twenty-three. Deon Flowers then gets this very good look at goal and he fails to break the tie for O.W. when he should have. Of course, the B.D.F. also shows up in the squander department when Deon Flowers misses the target from point blank range. Okay, Oliver Hendricks gets the chance to put O.W. up in late second half action but the push has not the power to beat the keeper. Of course, things do change when Evan Reynolds launches this header on a running play that beats the goalkeeper but this 3-2 score still leaves O.W. with a one goal lead in the series. Off the kick-off, Christopher gets this opportunity to tie the score but again the goalkeeper does his thing. Guys, erase that one goal series lead for Juventus when Dion McCauley centers to Isidoro Lara who taps it in fort he 4-2 big W at O.W.; that’s in regulation time. And here is the B.D.F. looking to win the series outright but the left foot by Evan Mariano is kicked out by the keeper which brings us to overtime.
Big respect to the B.D.F. fans who kept the faith even after that 4-2 loss at the M.C.C. Grounds. In overtime Dion McCauley gets this point blank shot at goal and fails to score it for the B.D.F. Juventus then takes the lead again when Ian Chi fires this long distance bomb that crashes into the back of the net and O.W. is up again at the ninety-sixth minute of thise very exciting ballgame. Just before overtime expires Derwin Inis, in an attempt to clear, comes up with the dreaded auto goal and the series is tied once again. A minute and a half later Dennis Serano makes this run and connects with the left foot to give the B.D.F. the lead and they do think they’ve won it. However, folks it’s never over until it’s over because when Christopher launches this corner kick Daniel Thomas, fresh off the bench, heads it home and after overtime play we must head to the penalty spot to decide who moves on. We’re tied at two apiece in penalties when Dean Flowers comes up with this first miss for Juventus. Here we are at money time people. It’s Dennis Serano to win it or go with sudden death penalty. The left foot does and the B.D.F. eliminates O.W. in a very exciting match.
In other action around the league, F.C. Belize beat Benque D.C. 2-1 to also advance, Nizhee Corozal and Ibayani of Georgetown settled for a scoreless draw which gives Corozal the pass and Llagulei edged San Pedro 3-2 to move on. Thus, the four teams remaining are F.C. Belize, B.D.F., Nizhee and Llagulei and as soon as the weekend schedule is decided we’ll certainly pass it on so stay tuned.
Turning to the Super League of Belize, all five matches in week eight were concluded over the weekend. Lake-Collet Survivors trounced Tsunami 5-1, San Felipe Barcelona hurt Kraal Road 3-1, Lucky Strike blanked Valley Renaissance 1-zip, Texmar Boys bombed Western Rebels 6-1 and Cayo South handled Barrio Fino in a 3-1 finish. Week nine’s schedule finds Texmar hosting San Felipe this Saturday. Also on Saturday, Lucky Strike comes to the M.C.C. Grounds to face Kraal Road. On Sunday Tsunami goes to Cayo South, Barrio Fino takes on Valley Renaissance and Western Rebels will host Lake-Collet Survivors.
Turning to the cycling scene, we head to Ranchito in the Corozal District where yesterday the second annual Dr. Miguel Rosado Cycling Classic blasted off to the roundabout in Orange Walk and back. Some thirty riders suited up in the Elite Class and indeed, like we say in the business, they’re off. Give it up for Leslie Sanchez who came out focused today as he takes the first station prize at Libertad cut-off. Leslie would win all four station prizes going to O.W. to which we must say good show. On the way back Leslie Sanchez is still the man people. But at the Libertad cut-off Leslie Sanchez is no longer in the lead pack that features six riders now. And here’s the rush to the tape. Jose Choto grabs top honours, Mateo Cruz happily settles for second, Gian Ochaeta takes third, Bethran Brown fourth, Elbert Pope pulls up fifth, while Giovanni Choto rounds out the top six. In the masters class Mateo Cruz takes first place, Elbert Pope second, and Ray Cattouse third while in the Junior category Edward Reyes took the win forcing Stephen Dixon into second.
In basketball news, week two of the Maxi Basketball Competition reigned supreme and the clash between Old Technical Rebels and Classic Purex proved to be entertaining. Old Technical needed overtime but they got the job done as Douglas Pendan led the way with seventeen points and Rico Black who hit five threes had fifteen points. Williams played big for Purex with nineteen points while Armin Arana had eighteen points and an attention grabbing six steals.
In the nightcap Lloyd Leslie came out rough to lead defending champions Albert to a 66-51 blowout over Maria Chang with twenty-seven points and six rebounds while Vince “the Postman” Estrada Lamb threw up fourteen points in the W. For Maria Chang, Joseph Habet top scored with twenty points and big bad Jimmy Faber had twelve points in the loss. Also on the card B.W.S. Bulls edged orange Walk Eagles 65-52 and Old Cemetery routed Belmopan 63-41. This Sunday’s schedule at the mighty Bird’s Isle finds Belmopan facing Old Technical, O.W. Eagles fly at Maria Chang, B.W.S. Bulls take aim at Old cemetery and Albert hooks up with Classic Purex.
Hey folks, that’s our show for today. We invite you back same time, same place, next week. Jah over all, I’m James Adderley.
