Sports Monday with James Adderley
Good evening, I’m James Adderley and this is Sports Monday.
The future of Belizean cycling was in full bloom yesterday with the 13th running of the Junior Cross Country Cycle Classic. 20 of the most promising young talent were suited at the Succotz Ferry for the start of this 74.6 mile journey chasing a record of 3 hours 37 minutes 48 seconds set by Byron Pope. The first to make his presence felt is Gian Zetina Junior of Cayo Uprising who jumped out of the pack about a mile into the race and would go on to claim on impressive catch of 13 station prizes. Just outside San Ignacio town, Zetina continues to dominate the pace but even the exuberance of youth could not propel him out of reach from the resolve of the compact pelathon to reel him in. and here is Zetina sprinting for the last premie before he is enveloped by the main bunch coming out of Georgeville. 
The 13 premie’s might have led to his 11 place finish. Passing through Roaring Creek, it’s Riis Cattouse stepping out to grab that station prize. Giovanni Lovell then crosses over to join Cattouse making it a lead duo around Cotton Tree. However, by the time the race passes mile 30, we have an 11 man split that will take the ride to the finish line.
At mile 10, the 11 still cleave together trying to figure out who’s to make the big move. When we catch up to the race at Old Belize, we have a 7 man lead preparing for the sprint. Now here’s the sprint for the 2012 Title. It’s Oscar Quiros on the outside attacking all the way, Aidan Juan tries to hang on while Deezan Spence runs out of power. Oscar Quiros Jr. riding unattached grabs the Junior Cross Country title in 3 hours 50 minutes 11 seconds, Aidan Juan of Cayo High Road hangs on to 2nd place while Riis Cattouse, Zahir Figueroa, Brandon Morgan and Giovanni Lovell rounds out the top 7 in that order. Hey folks, the future of Belizean cycling looks good.
In other cycling news the results from the weekend warriors Sunday race shows that Ernest Thurton of Santino took the top spot forcing his teammate, John Burns into 2nd while Shaun Howard pulled up 3rd with Colin Majia and Santino Castillo rounds out the top 5. Meanwhile folks, the countdown to the 84th Annual Cross Country continues so stay tuned.
Turning to the football scene, week 7 took us to the Isidoro Beaton Stadium where Belmopan Bandits played host to San Ignacio FC Saturday night. It’s the host team looking to strike first when Oscar Banegas, the San Ignacio keeper, mishandles this ball but recovers in time before any damage is done. In the meantime, Floyd Jones gets this one on one look at the visitor’s goal only to let loose a high rising left foot. San Ignacio finally goes offensive when Dennis Alvarez triggers this set piece that force Woodrow West into a diving save. At the other end, Kareem Haylock launches this solo effort that concludes with a left foot shot that inches outside the far upright. Folks we’re at the 40th minute of the ballgame when Gilbert Swazo fires this grass head burner that Banegas mishandles, the rebound reaches Jacinto Bermudez who powers it home to give the Bandits a 1-zip lead.
The joy is short-lived because as San Ignacio drives off the kick-off, John Trapp is taken down inside the box by David Madrid. Amin August steps up and ties the ballgame at 1 apiece at the 41st minute. 2nd half brought very little entertainment to this ballgame as both teams settled for the 1-1 tie.
In other action around the league, San Pedro Sea Dogs sank World FC in a 3-2 burner, Police United continued to roll with a 2-1 win over Paradise Freedom Fighters, Placencia Assassins blanked Paradise Freedom Fighters 2-zip, FC Belize edged San Felipe Barcelona 1-nil and the B.D.F. jolted Juventus in a 1-nothing finish. Looking to the weekend schedule; the B.D.F. will host San Felipe and the Police gets a visit from Belmopan. That’s on Saturday night. While on Sunday, World FC travels to Juventus, San Ignacio and Hankook Verdes will kick it out at the Norman Broaster while Placencia Assassins travel to paradise Freedom Fighters.
In other football news play, in the female football league over the weekend saw Pumas and Dangriga battle to a 2-2 stalemate, while Sugar City Girls shook up Millennium in a 2-1 final score. Finally folks, the 31st UB Relathon was staged yesterday with the males overtaking the females at mile 10. Kaina Martinez finished the run from Belmopan to Belize for the females who put up a time of 7 hours, 33 minutes, while the makes posted 7 hours, 10 minutes. The males have not had 18 wins to the females 14.
Jah Over all, I’m James Adderley.
