Sports Monday’s Lionman Edition

Good evening, I’m James Adderley and this is Sports Monday.

We begin with the PLB matchup inside the MCC Grounds yesterday as FC Belize hosted the San Pedro Seadogs in a battle to move up the standings in Zone A. In the opening minute, Jessie Smith fires off this left foot splice that glances off the far corner of the goal defended by Glenford Chimilio. Smith gets another chance to launch the left foot when he finds space on the right side, but Chimilio comes up with a nice save. Talk about big time save people, Everette Lemus looks to open the scoreboard with this right foot punch from pointblank range only to be foiled by the heroics of the FC goalkeeper.

At the other end, FC Belize displays signs of potency when Francisco Briceno sends this ball into the danger zone—goalkeeper Alden Augustine mishandles the ball but comes up with a great second effort to rescue the situation. Leon Jones then fires this good looking shot that inches outside the sticks. So we go to 2^nd half and Leon Jones immediately tries to break the scoreless tie with this left foot launch that is punched out by the Seadogs goalkeeper. Michael Hernandez keeps the FC offensive pressure going with this right foot shot but it’s right out. For certain folks, Leon Jones will want this scoring chance back because he really should have done better with this open look at goal. In the meantime, goalkeeper Chimilio takes a knee to the forehead from Luis Errioala who gets a yellow card for this effort. Chimilio is bandaged up and promptly returns to the scene of the crime. This one ends in a scoreless stalemate.

In other results from Week 2, Verdes FC clubbed Police United 2 to 1, Placencia Assassins edged Paradise Freedom Fighters 1-zip, Belmopan Bandits jolted Juventus in a 6-zip blast while the Belize Defense Force marched all over San Felipe Barcelona to a 3-nil tune. Looking to Week 3 on Saturday, San Ignacio faces Freedom Fighters at the Michael Ashcroft Stadium and FC Barcelona travels to the Belmopan Bandits. On Sunday, Police United will host R.G. City Boys at Belmopan, the B.D.F. will be inside the Norman Broaster against San Pedro Seadogs. Juventus returns to the friendly confines of the People’s Stadium to face FC Belize and Verdes travels to Placencia to take on the Assassins.

In softball news, we join the rest of the nation in congratulating the Ladyville Technical High School Female Softball Team for capturing the gold medal at recently concluded Central American Scholar Games (CODICADER) at Guatemala. Meanwhile, the best of 5 series for the Belize City Senior Female Softball Championship got off on Friday at Rogers Stadium with Mirage Lady Rebels trouncing Telemedia 17-10 in 7 innings in which Mary Flowers was tagged for all of 25 hits. Game II comes up this evening at 6:30.

In cycling news, the Weekend Warriors presented the Regent Street Criterium yesterday and the race boiled down to a 2-man sprint as Leam Stewart of M&M Engineering edges out Ray Hyde of Santino’s for top honors. Now here’s the sprint for 3^rd and it is Wilbert Jones beating out Santi Castillo and Ernest Meighan in that order. The C Class 12 laps sees Ronald Meighan of Medina’s win the 4 man sprint forcing 2 trucker riders, Jerome Moir into 2^nd and Steve Gill into 3^rd while Nelson Zyden finished fourth. In the B Class 15 laps, Santino Castillo easily outsprints George Abraham of BCB/FT Williams for the Win and Leam Stewart of M&M takes 3^rd. Meanwhile the A Class 20 laps was dominated by team Santino—Ray Hyde and Ernest Thurton finishing 1^st and 2^nd without a sprint. Leam Stewart of M&M takes 3^rd and Ernest meighan rolls in for 4^th. Looking ahead, the Belize City Council and Leslie’s Imports Criterium comes up this Sunday, September 9^th on the Albert/Regent Streets Circuit and will cater to cyclist from ages 7 to the open category including female. Deadline for registration is Thursday 6^th September.

In table tennis news, Carlos Cui, Davis Huang and Hector Lopez finished 1, 2 and 3 respectively in the Elite Category of the 2^nd Annual Barrel Veterans Championship. In the non-elite class, it was Wilfredo Chang taking top honors. Ricky usher was 2^nd and Austin Waight 3^rd.

Finally folks, the 13^th Lionman Triathlon was staged yesterday and as always, we are excited by 1500 meters swim which is then followed by the 40 K cycle ride and 10 K run. 1^st out of the water is 17 year old Eric Davis of San Pedro; but we can’t tell you which category he participates in as we just couldn’t get the stats from the association. Nevertheless, here’s what we do know. Roger Troyer wins the Open Male Class and here he is as he crosses the finish line. Troyer beat former Champ Kenroy Gladden who comes in 2^nd. While Jim Scott  finishes 3^rd overall and easily wins the Masters Class. Former Cross Country Champion, Shane Vasquez pulled up 4^th in this category. Of course on the female side, Shalini Zabaneh continues to be super woman and we say congratulations.

Jah Over All, I’m James Adderley.