Sports Monday: James Adderley with the weekend equalizer
Good Evening, I’m James Adderley and this is Sports Monday.
The 1st post season in the PLB Football Competition got off to a roaring start as 4 semifinalists made the mandatory appearance in game II of a home and away series. We take you south to the Michael Ashcroft Stadium at Independence. Here the Placencia Assassins runner up in Zone B hosted the # 1 seed for Zone A, the Belmopan Bandits, a team that has been truly dominant in regular season action. However, with the home field advantage, the Assassins come in burning with confidence as they try to strike early and maybe Bernard Linares comes in a bit too harsh on goalkeeper, Woodrow West, but without malice. Nevertheless, it’s the Belmopan Bandits who open the scoreboard 22 minute in when Jeremy James fires this grasshead burner that Elias Pelayo should have handled. Dellon Torres shows his disappointment, but the Bandits take a 1-zip lead.
5 minutes later, Ashley Torres gets this open look to tie the ballgame for Placencia only to be let down by the uncontrolled left foot push. The visitors look to double their lead when David Trapp picks out Ian Gaynair whose header veers outside the target. In the meantime, this set piece triggered by Bernard Linares forces Woodrow West to come up with a big time save and he does. Folks, Linares is dead set on getting the equalizer and in fact he does everything right on this press except getting the ball between the sticks. So we go to 2nd half and it’s Assassins in search of the equalizer from off this set piece triggered by Captain Dalton Eiley. Rollin Burgess keeps it alive to Arnie Whyte whose vicious header brings out a world class save from Woodrow West.
With so much on the line people, tempers were bound to flare. Arnie Whyte is beside himself and is eventually restrained by his teammates and of course the presence of the law on the field of play. Apparently, the culprit turns out to be Erick Rodriguez—we didn’t see what he did but he is chased off the field by a red card. Arnie Whyte is lucky to get off with only a yellow card for his reaction to whatever transpired. It’s getting late for Placencia and Ashley Torres just doesn’t put enough on this header to beat Woodrow West who we’ll just have tag as man of the match. Folks, despite the numerical disadvantage, Belmopan Bandits hold on to the 1-zip Win to take Game I on the road. This series now moves to the Isidoro Beaton Stadium for Game II Saturday night. Placencia must win by a 2 goal margin to advance while a draw puts the Bandits into the championship round.
In other semifinal matches: Police the # 1 Seed from Zone B doubled the Belize Defence Force 2-1 to grab game I. Game II comes up at 3p.m. inside the Isidoro Beaton Stadium on Saturday. In the Inter-district Football Championship, Benguche FC bombed San Antonio Corozal, 4-2 to grab Game I. Game II comes up at the Ricalde Stadium in Corozal at 2:30 p.m. Meanwhile folks, Faith Nazarene School of Cayo beat San Pedro RC 2-1 on Friday at the MCC Grounds to win the National Primary School Male Football Title while on the female side, Belize Elementary got over Santa Elena Primary 3-1 to emerge the Female National Primary School Champion and we say congratulations.
Turning to the Smart Mundialito; Hattieville won the competition beating Brown Bomber 1-zip on a goal by Kayvon Lewis and here they are receiving the championship trophy from Smart. Tarique Ciego of United Rangers scored the most goals. Sherwin Requena of Brown Bombers was voted Best Forward. Best Mid-fielder turned out to be Mario Rivera of Hattieville. Best Defence, Glen Arzu of 3rd World; Best Goalkeeper, Gregory Fisher of Brown Bombers who did not concede a single goal and MVP honor goes to Tarique Ciego of United Rangers. We say good show to all concerned in the Smart Mundialito.
Turning to the Cycling Scene, the leadership of the Belize Cycling Association remains in limbo, but the show does go on. We join the start of CASA’s Saturday race where 28 riders are suited up for the 42 mile open race that leaves Leslie’s Imports, heads to the Boom Cutoff and swings back to finish where it started. At the turn around point, it’s Brandon Cattouse and Greg Lovell pacing a lead pack of 6. Some 25 seconds later, the main bunch makes their appearance in hot pursuit. The lead remains intact at the Hattieville roundabout with all 6 still rolling. At the finish line, it’s Gregory Lovell of Santino’s easily beating Brandon Cattouse of C-Ray for top honots while Herman Requena rounds out the top 3. Lovell was locked at 1hr 40mins 15secs. On the female side, Shalini Zabaneh of Tony’s Super Store bested Kaya Cattouse of C-Ray for the top spot. Brandon Morgan of Cayo Uprising took the Jr. Class Abraham 2nd and Giovanni Lovell 3rd.
In the Weekend Warrior Hell of the West Race on Sunday, which left San Ignacio Hotel to Benque Viejo and back, Ernest Meighan of Santino’s beat out Kenroy Gladden of Medina’s and Wilbert Jones in a time of 2hrs 2mins 35secs to take top honors. Manuel Petoya of Team Melchor won the 24 mile C Class race in a time of 1hr 48mins. Looking ahead, the 60 Mile Reginald Jex Memorial Race comes up on December 15th on the Northern Highway. To get in contact, Shelton Graham at telephone: 625-1959. 1st prize takes home $700.00 and a TV. Great prizes are being offered.
Finally folks, BWSL is boss of the BDBA firms competition after mauling Port of Belize in 2 straights. On Friday night, Lennox Travis hit 15 pts, while Karin Thompson posted a 2 double of 11 pts 11 rebounds in the 53-50 win. BWSL completed the seep on Saturday night as Lennox Travis put up 21 points and pulled 11 rebounds; Karin Thompson contributes 21 pointsd and pulled 8 boards while Lindburgh Graham pulled 11 rebounds and hit 6 points in the 59-51 big Win. We say congratulations to Belize Water Services Limited. It’s been a long time coming. On the U-23 level, Bulldogs edged Tuff E-Nuff 52-51. Brian White led the way with 17 points, 8 rebounds. Terrique Gallo threw 13 points and James Flores added 11.
Jah over all, I’m James Adderley.
