James Adderley’s moments in sports
Good evening, I’m James Adderley and this is Sports Monday.
Week 2 of the PLB Season saw the Placencia Assasins roll into the Norman Broaster Stadium yesterday to take on the Belize Defence Force. After last week’s 3-1 loss to Police United, the guys from the peninsula were certainly looking to avoid an 0 and 2 start to the 2013 season. However, it’s the B.D.F. with the 1st good look at goal some 10 minutes when Ryan Simpson finds the streaking Lisbey Castillo who botches the finish. The Assassins respond with this potent grass head burner from Jesus Ramos that just inches past the near upright. Ashley Torres then gets this chance to give the Assassins the lead with this left foot launch that rises over the crossbar. At the 42nd minute, Paul Nunez launches this individual effort to fire this right foot bouncer from long distance that beats Elias Pelayo to give the B.D.F. a 1-zip lead. 6 minutes after intermission, Dalton Eiley fires this long range floater that forces Delroy Roches into a tough save.
At the 56th minute, Luis Torres ties the ballgame for Placencia with this powerful punch from the right side that Roches could not reach. Ashley Torres gets another chance to move up the scoreboard, but misfires again from inside the box. Luis Torres then looks to double his tally and give Placencia the lead with this wicked floater only to be foiled by a necessary touch from goalkeeper, Delroy Roches. It’s late in the ballgame when Paul Nunez works his way into the box looking to fire from pointblank range when he is taken down from behind by Jason Kelly—for which the referee rightly awards a penalty kick. The B.D.F. sends Vallan Symms on the mission for the W and it turns out to be a bad choice as he launches straight to Elias Pelayo who makes the easy stop. Nevertheless, when they saw it’s never over till it’s over, you had better believe it because in extra time, Shane Flores fires this right foot just inside the 18 that turns out to be the game winner in the 2-1 final score.
In other action around the league, FC Belize pulled up to 500 ball with a 1-zip win over Police United, defending Champions, Belmopan bandits continue to roll with a 2-zip bombing of San Felipe Barcelona and San Ignacio United kept Verdes winless in a 1-nil scorcher. Looking to week 3, on Saturday at 7:30 p.m., Belmopan Bandits will host Police United. On Sunday, Verdes travels to Placencia for a 3:30 p.m. appointment. San Ignacio will be hosted by San Felipe Barcelona at 3:30 p.m. and at 4 p.m. here in Belize City, FC Belize goes to work against the B.D.F.
In other football news, Guinea Grass United beat San Estevan 2-1 yesterday in game 2 of the OW 1st Division championship to claim the 2013 title with a 6-1 aggregate and we say congratulations. Edwani Munos of San Estevan was voted MVP and teammate, Irvin Osorio led the league with 11 goals while Alfredo Westby of Progresso emerged as best goalkeeper. In the U-17 League, San Lazaro Stars beat White Eagles FC 1-zip yesterday to grab the 2013 title.
Turning to the cycling scene, we give props to Leroy Cassasola and his organization for presenting the Saturday races that are instrumental in preparing the local riders for this year’s annual Cross Country Cycling Classic. Saturday’s open race saw 25 riders line up for the start in 3 categories in a ride from Leslie’s Imports to Boom Cutoff and back. 2 riders jump on the lead early into the race but its young Giovanni Lovell of Telemedia taking the station prize at Mile 10 away from Mark Staine of Benny’s. However, mark Staine does exact sweet revenge by claiming the premie at the prison in uncontested fashion. At the turnaround point, we have a new configuration with the pelathon; more or less compact albeit a little bit stretched out as they begin the ride back. on the return, the Prison premie goes to Brandon Cattouse of C-ray who out pedals a challenge from mark Staine. At Mile 10, mark Staine again gets even by taking that premie as Cattouse looks on. Going to the finish line, we have a 9 man sprint—Brandon Cattouse has the lead on the outside and is being challenged by Gregg Lovell. Cattouse of C-ray shakes him off to grab the W in 1:45:35. Lovell of Telemedia settles for 2nd, Geon Hanson is 3rd, Leroy Cassasola is 4th, while Herman Requeña rounds out the top 5. Philton Butler of M&M Engineering took the Jr. Class over Giovanni Lovell, while Warren Coye beat his teammate, Santino Castillo, in the Weekend Warrior Category.
In softball news, we caught up with the interdepartmental clash between City Council and K.H.M.H. Friday night. it’s a 16-16 score in the bottom of the 7th with Brian Audinett on the mound when the batter comes up with a bunt that should have been an easy out. Audinett’s throw to 1st is errant and this allows Ehairn Dominguez to score from 3rd and K.H.M.H. celebration of the 17-16 victory begins in earnest.
In closing folks, we say congratulations to the new executive of the Belize Olympic Committee elected at Saturday’s General Assembly. Hilly Martinez was elected president replacing Ned Pitts who was installed as president emeritus. Sony Meighan is Vic President; Yolanda Fonseca is secretary; Josephine Flowers, assistant Secretary; Giovanni Alamilla is the new treasures; while the committee members are Herman Pastor, Allan Sharp and Tux Vasquez.
Jah over all, I’m James Adderley.