RF&G Football Cup 2008 season kicked off over the weekend

Good evening, I’m James Adderley. You’re right on time for this dish of Sports Monday.
We take you immediately to the M.C.C. Grounds where the RFG Cup kicked off its 2008 season as F.C. Belize hosted Suga Boys Juventus of Orange Walk inside the M.C.C. Grounds Saturday night. With the comfort of the home field advantage, F.C. Belize roars out of the blocks looking to strike in the opening minute when, Ian Gaynair reaches Edon Yellowman Rawley off this set piece that results in a header that travels wide. With F.C. still in the role of protagonist, twenty-one minutes deep Tyrone Muschamp attacks off the left side to find Edon Yellowman Rawley and the left foot gives the host team a 1-zip lead. At the twenty-ninth minute, defense man Vallan Symms sends this spot kick at goal. The goalkeeper can’t push the ball outside the sticks and just like that we’ve got a 2-zip ballgame. O.W. then goes offensive off this header from Oliver Hendricks but it misses the intended target. Off this corner kick, Cristobal Gilharry tries to increase the F.C. lead only to see the pill sail over the cross bow. The Suga Boys offense does look potent when Oliver heels to brother, Christopher Hendricks, who fires this grounder that forces the keeper to come up with a big time save. Again, O.W. goes for the goal on this turn around shot from Christopher Hendricks but the screamer rises. At the half F.C. Belize remains in control with a 2-zip lead. In second half action, Oliver Hendricks gets this look at goal. However, he fails to execute whatever he intended to do. Juventus then goes for the outside shot but this launch won’t get past Stanley Reneau. Of course, F.C. Belize continues to use the set piece to attack the goal and indeed it’s a harrowing time for the Juventus defense until they get bailed out by a foul call. At the other end, O.W. gets close to the goal but, Allen Diaz does not finish the play. It’s O.W. on the prowl again and again. Albert Diaz fails to deliver the required results. Downfield, Roberto Bernadez fires this dangerous grass head burner at the O.W. keeper who rises to the challenge. Folks, Byron Usher runs past the entire Juventus Defense only to lift this ball to the keeper. Nevertheless, Suga Boys Juventus is focused on getting onto the scoreboard and this off balance try from Dean Flowers almost does the trick except for the intervention of Stanley Reneau. F.C. Belize, who finished third last season, go on to post the 2-zip big W in the opener against a team that finished in the bottom three last season.
In other action around the league, newcomer Nizhee Corozal jolted the defending champion Hankook Verdes 3-zip and we say jolt because this one is a shocker. Georgetown Ibayani doubled Wagiya at the Carl Ramos 2-1, new addition Llagulei bombed the Belize Defence Force 1-zip and in an out of zone match San Pedro Dolphins burned Benque Viejo D.C. United 1-nothing. Looking ahead to week two. In the north zone Nizhee will host Juventus and F.C. Belize will get a visit from the San Pedro Dolphins; that’s on Sunday. In the south zone, Ibayani will be at the Michael Ashcroft against the Belize Defence Force; that’s on Saturday night. Llagulei and Wagiya will battle it out at the Carlos Ramos Stadium on Sunday while the out of zone match finds Verdes facing Benque D.C. United inside the Marshalleck Stadium Sunday evening.
Turning to the Belize Female Football League, the playoffs opened on Saturday with all teams seeing action. At the M.C.C. Grounds Millennium Girls hosted Delille Pumas of Dangriga who within ten minutes of the ballgame get on the scoreboard when Nataki Alvarez outruns everybody to bomb the keeper as the visitors take a 1-zip lead. They then look to double that lead when Alvarez fires this spot kick that inches over the target. The city team fires back when Sherraine Tracey launches this outside shot that Rochelle Martinez misplays but Martinez gets away with it. Kirsten Pollard aims this floater at goal in search of the equalizer but it’s not to be. So Delille Pumas take a 1-zip lead into intermission. In second half Millennium continues to press for the equalizer. So they float this spot kick into the danger zone but again Martinez intervenes. You make the call folks, Sherraine Tracey is almost taken down by Patricia Marin. She stays on her feet but the referee still rules penalty nevertheless. Tracey steps up but her offering won’t get the job done against Martinez. Griga now wants to seal the W so Jackie Murillo fires this left foot but it’s right at Jestina Velasquez who takes car of biz. On this penalty call a minute from the long whistle, there’s simply no doubt Nataki Alvarez does hand the ball inside the box. This time Millennium sends Meloni Tasher and this time the net shakes to force the 1-1regulation tie.
In other match-up out at Esperanza Field Gentle Touch used the home field advantage to crush Sugar City Girls 7-3.
In volleyball news, S.Q. Stars beat Junior Jaguar 26-24, 22-25, 15-16 in three sets to grab the female junior division title. And on the female senior side, B.H. Stars smashed Jaguars 27-25, 25-23, 25-18 in three straight to take that title. Sherlene Johnson of B.H. Stars emerged MVP. In the male division Scorpion outlasted S.Q. Dragons 16-25, 21-25, 25-18, 25-20, 15-10 to grab that title. Arvid Arnold took MVP honours. And in the firms division Team 313 took top honours. We say congratulations to one and all.

Finally, in softball news, here are the results of the Belize City senior and interoffice softball league currently in session from action over the weekend. Maria Chang Lady Rebels blanked Brothers Habet Diamonds 7-zip. Central Bank whipped the Police 8-1. Brodies/MOE busted Belize Bank 4-2, Central Bank got past Telemedia 9-3, Club 313 defeated K.H.M.H. 20-11, Telemedia beat up on Maria Chang Lady Rebels 7-3 and Truckers Posse got past Belize City Council 11-10 in a squeaker. On tonight’s schedule Belize Bank will battle Club 313 and Telemedia will go to war against K.H.M.H.

Hey folks, that’s it for now. We invite you back next week but it’ll be on Tuesday as we have a pressing engagement on Monday. That’s it for now; we hope you’ll be with us at that time. Jah over all, I’m James Adderley.