James Adderley’s Weekly Sporting news and views
Good Evening, I’m James Adderley and welcome to this portion of Sports Monday.
The Belize Bank Super League kicked off 2011 3-game championship series inside the MCC Grounds yesterday as R.G. City Boys hosted the flaming hot Placencia Assassins who jerked the City Boys in a 1-zip blast just 2 weeks ago in its bid to capture its first major football title ever. We must say we were impressed with the opening ceremony and the mighty fan attending that graced the MCC Grounds for this auspicious occasion.
City Boys came out looking for the early goal when Ryan Simpson finds Deon McCauley with this wonderful pass, but McCauley’s attempt is pushed wide of the goal by the finger tips of Placencia’s keeper, Stephen Lopez. It’s more City Boys when Ryan Simpson provides for Tyronne Muschamp whose attempt at goal can only be described as disappointing. A few minutes later, Simpson again hooks up with Muschamp and this time Tyronne is denied by Stephen Lopez who somehow comes up with the same.
Hey folks, Stephen Lopez really displays quality goal keeping when he stays with the bounce to swat away Deon McCauley’s spot kick launch. We’re at the 41st minute of the ballgame when the City Boys defense falls asleep while they contest the call by referee Carballo, Elias Donaire quickly pushes to Dillon Torres who centers to Wilmer Garcia—Ian Gaynair cannot contain him and Garcia gives Placencia Assassins a 1-zip lead.
Just before the half expires Elroy Kuylen looks for the equalizer with this individual effort that doesn’t quit and gets the job done.
We go to second half and it’s almost a perfect resumption of play for City Boys when Deon McCauley offers this left foot push is somehow saved by the impressive Stephen Lopez. Folks I know you cant see the shooter, but it’s Deon McCauley looking to beat Lopez at the rear post, but today the Placencia keeper is simply spectacular.
Meanwhile, Referee Carballo seems a bit inconsistent when he fails to book Wilmer Garcia for this foul on Ian Gaynair—after all there is no ball in play. 15 minutes into second half, Elroy Kuylen picks up the loose ball, gets pass Lewis Torres to unleash this left foot and Lopez is finally beaten as Kuylen ties the ballgame at one a piece. In the meantime, one might forgive Gaynair for firing this high riser from close range but it’s an opportunity he should have made better use of.
Folks it’s Elroy Kuylen looking for the assist with this push in front of the goal mouth and neither Dalton Cayetano nor Deon McCauley could do anything with it. Elroy Kuylen then looks to break the tie off this set piece, but Stephen Lopez stays sharp.
Most R.G. City Boys fans withdrew their support for Referee Carballo when Keon Leslie bodies Deon McCauley off this ball and there’s no whistle. In fact, we got a couple of calls that complained about his performance saying he is too big to keep up with the play and he allows himself to be tricked repeatedly by the player. Now watch Dalton Cayetano kicks this gift horse in the mouth when Leon Jones finds him and he totally misses what should have been an automatic goal. How good is the Placencia goalkeeper? Well watch him read and react to this trick shot from Deon McCauley to come up with this biggest save of this ballgame.
We’re in the final minutes of extra time when Luis Torres finds this corner and the City Boys defense allow this ball to travel in front of the goal mouth, Tom Hitchcock reaches it before anyone and he gives Placencia Assassins the 2-1 big W.
People, referees don’t win ballgames even when they err. It’s the players who do not and City Boys had enough opportunities to win this ballgame going away. They had the upper hand in ball possession but it was the Placencia Assassins who scored the tie-breaker for the big Win and now we’re headed to the Michael Ashcroft’s Stadium for Game II of the 3 game Championship. The Placencia Team could finish it then.
In softball news, Mirage Lady Rebels eliminated Orchid Blazers out of the female Championship at Roger’s Stadium on Friday with a 5-2 victory on 5 runs from 7 hits. Thus the Blazers will face Hurricanes for 3rd Place this Friday. In male play, Strikers walloped Oceana’s Pro’s 13-2 on 13 runs for 14 hits. Today’s schedule finds police in action against Santos.
Turning to the volleyball scene, it’s of historic significance that the 2011 Central American Beach Volleyball Championship was staged at the Marion Jones Stadium here in Belize. However, we lament the fact that we could not get the full stats from the volleyball association when we we’ve got the pictures. Nevertheless, here’s what we do know: 6 Central American countries participated in a week long tournament that concluded on Sunday. Costa Rica beat Guatemala in female play for the gold medal in 3 straight gets 23-21, 21-17, 15-12. All countries involved had 2 teams in the contest and the Guatemalan B team was able to grab bronze.
In the meantime, we congratulate Barbara Cadle and Jasmine Anderson who beat Nicaragua for 5th place.
On the male side, Costa Rica again won gold by beating Guatemala while Nicaragua struck for bronze. Belize’s Ernest Broaster and Arnid Arnold fell to Carlos Leiva and Carlos Escobar in the battle for 5th place.
Jah Overall, I’m James Adderley.