Texmar wins Game 1 of Super League playoffs

Good evening I’m James Adderley and we’re glad you could join us for this issue of Sports Monday.

The Super League of Belize kicked off its first ever championship series inside the Marshalleck Stadium yesterday as Benque DC United hosted the number one seed Texmar Boys of Independence for the first of a three game package. It’s the visitors who make the first move at goal with this left foot offering from Bernard Linares who does not get enough of the pill to be effective. Linares gets another look when the Benque defence misplays this ball and this time he simply misses the target. They say the third time is a charm, but not for Bernard Linares, who can’t catch up with the pill in time to impress the scoreboard. How about the fourth time? Well for Linares the goal seems to be most elusive today. In the meantime, this corner kick serves up a header for Wilmer Garcia which is corralled by the Benque keeper William Luna. Garcia then fires this spot kick with bad intentions but again Luna handles. There’s no doubt Texmar Boys is in control of first half play as Bernard Linares fails to convert on more time but who’s keeping count? In early second half action, Ashley Torres gets this look at goal only to see William Luna with a successful intervention. Meanwhile people, the Texmar keeper finally faces a real test when this spot kick from Pedro Guerra almost drops behind him but he makes the play. It’s another close shave for Luna on this press by Texmar he comes up with an important touch to keep the ballgame scoreless. Nevertheless, Texmar Boys keep the pressure on and we must say William Luna is taking care of biz big time for Benque today. How about this screamer from Keon Leslie? It looks good but it’s not good enough to be counted. Marco Souto then fires this right foot at Luna who again comes up with a fine save. At the end of regulation we have a scoreless ballgame.

You know it’s a three game series people so somebody’s got to win and somebody’s got to lose which translates into overtime play. Early into overtime, Wilmer Garcia misses from pointblank range and he knows he should have done better with this chance. It’s more Texmar when Ashley Torres unleashes this bomb that is punched out by Luna. They try two more attempts but today is not the day. So we must go to penalty kicks for the decision in game one of the Super League Championship. Here’s money time people, we’re tied at three goals apiece on PKs when Gabriel Ramos makes it 4-3 for Texmar. Elias Donaire could tie it for Benque, he misses the target and Texmar Boys take a one game lead in this best of three series.

Ruperto Vicente
“Going into next week’s ballgame, how do you prepare now?”

Hilberto Muschamp, Texmar Boys
“Keep the guards focused because there’s still two games left to play. You need to approach the game in that mindset. Yes, we are ahead, we have step inside the championship but we also have one step outside of the championship so we haven’t won anything yet. They need to understand that and approach it like what we’ve been doing from the start of the season; play one game at a time.”

Game two now comes up this Saturday, twenty-sixth April inside Independence and Benque DC United must win to force a decision game three.

In cycling news, twenty-four riders suited up for Saturday’s race which saw C-Ray sweep the top three spots. Gian Ochaeta took top honours, Peter Choto second, while Brandon Cattouse rounds out the top three. The next big event on the calendar is the Labour Day Classic which comes up on May first so stay tuned for details.

Turning to the softball scene, the National Softball Team rallied to a 4 and 2 record in the Central American games which concluded at Guatemala over the weekend. Our team finished with the silver medal and we certainly say congratulations.

Finally folks, the Belmopan District of the Annual Guiness Nine Ball Tournament kicks off its qualifying tournament this Sunday, April twenty-seventh at Glen’s Bar in Roaring Creek at ten a.m. To get in contact Erwin Woodeye at telephone 670-6891.

Hey folks, that’s our show for now. We invite you back same time, same place, next week. Jah over all, I’m James Adderley.