Weekend sports with James Adderley
James Adderley
Good evening, I’m James Adderley and this is Sports Monday.
The Belmopan Bandits needed a win Saturday night when they hosted a struggling, but always dangerous Police United inside the Isidoro Beaton Stadium if they were to get back into the race for the top. For the Police, this was a chance to turn things around after only earning 1 point from 3 outings. In the opening minutes, it’s police relentlessly pressing for the goal when Harrison Kafu Roches gets past the last man standing in the Bandits defense only to be let down by a touch too far that allows goalkeeper Woodrow West to make the save. It’s more police when Lennox Castillo comes up with the strip and fires this vicious power right foot that just inches over the crossbar. However, we’re at the 45th minute when Elroy Kuylen deals to Deon McCauley outside the 18 who beats one man and then another to fire this bouncer that gets past Jamie Brooks as Belmopan Bandits take a 1-zip lead.
Just before the halftime whistle slips, Bernard Linares triggers this set piece from long distance which forces Woodrow West into a punch out save as the Bandits take the 1-zip lead into intermission. When the action resumes, Elroy Kuylen finds Deon McCauley with this wonderful pass but this time the striker fails to hit the target. At the other end, Danny Jimenez mounts this individual effort in search of the equalizer only to aim the shot directly at Woodrow West who saves for the Bandits. The police continue to press for the equalizer as Bernard Linares again tries to utilize the set piece, but again the interception by West is valid. Nevertheless, the Police keeps on coming and should have done better on this attempt. Meanwhile, Belmopan Bandits look to seal up the 3 points on this set piece triggered by Elroy Kuylen, but the left foot launch is punched out by Jamie Brook.
Lennox Castillo then fires this bomb from outside the 18, but again it rises over the crossbar and so Belmopan bandits take all 3 points. In other action over the weekend, Verdes picked up its first win by stopping Paradise Freedom Fighters in a 1-zip finish at Benque on Saturday while at Dangriga’s undefeated B.D.F. bombed FC Belize 2-zip to become leader in the standings with 9 points from 3 outings. The Bandits is next with 7 points, Paradise Freedom Fighters also show 7 points, FC Belize remains with 4 points, Verdes also has 4 points now while San Ignacio and Police show 1 point apiece after 3 outings. Looking to the weekend, we have 3 matches coming up. Paradise Freedom Fighters will host Police United at Toledo, San Ignacio United gets a visit from the B.D.F.—both ballgames begin at 3:30 p.m. While here in Belize City at the MCC Grounds, game time is 4 p.m. when FC Belize takes on Verdes FC.
In other football news play in 2nd Annual Smart Juvenile Tournament, Brown Bombers got goals from Jovan Ramos and Sherwin Requeña to beat Young Stars 2-nil while Christian Busch goal gave 3rd World a 1-zip win over Rising Stars. Collet Strikers beat Hattieville United 1-nothing and City Boys handled Survivors in a 3-zip blast.
Turning to the basketball scene, the BDBA Firms Division 3 game finals kicked off Friday night at Bird’s Isle with AC Augustine of Port/Airport jumping against Winston Pratt of Customs at the tip off which reaches Kevin Lorenzo who goes lefty to give Customs the 2-zip lead. The Port’s reply comes when Lennox Bowman deals to Leroy Forbes who lands the triple and would finish with 9 points. Give Vince Estrada the artist and give AC Augustine the bucket off the glass for 2 of his 14 game points plus he pulled down 6 rebounds. Folks Kevin Lorenzo would have a big scoring output for Customs today as he receives this pass from Elsworth Felix and goes to the left hand—hits the bucket and is fouled by AC Augustine to get 3 points the old fashioned way. Lorenzo would lead all scores with 20 points. Still at the end of the 1st, the Port leads Customs 19 to 16. We’re in the 2nd quarter when Winston Pratt raises up for 3—hits the bucket and is fouled by Jason Wade which allows him to come up with a 4 point play. Down by 7 points, Pratt deals to Lorenzo who hits nothing but cotton on the 3 pointer and at the half, Port leads 37 to 33. In the 3rd quarter, Lennox Bowman finds Vince Estrada who sinks the triple and would finish with 9 points. At the other end, Marvin Skeen penetrates for 2 of his 9 game points. At the end of 3rd, the Port lead is 11 points. In the 4th, Charlie Armstrong finds Earl Johnson who hits in heavy traffic for 2 of his team high 18 points. He is fouled—misses the free throw but in steps Leroy Forbes for the rebound and the put back is good as Port/Airport goes on to post the 71 to 60 victory in Game I. Game II is scheduled for Thursday night and if necessary, Game III comes up Friday night.
In cycling news from the recently concluded Caribbean Cycling Championship at Curacao, Byron Pope finished 10th overall in the road race which is good enough to qualify him for participation in the 2014 Central American and Caribbean Games at Veracruz, Mexico. Meanwhile, Shalini Zabaneh finished 10th and Kerah Eiley 12th in the female road rave. Judos also to Edgar Nissan Arana who finished 9th in the 1 lap race. Meanwhile, only 10 riders competed in Saturday Casa’s race from Leslie’s Imports to Hattieville and back. Here’s the sprint to the finish line and it’s Brandon Cattouse of C-Ray beating Giovanni Lovell of Telemedia for top honors while Leroy Cassasola rounds out the top 3. In weekend warriors news, Barney Brown of Scotia bank continues to shine winning yesterday’s race from Leslie’s Imports to mile 25 and back forcing Mark Gentle of BCB/FT Williams into 2nd and Kirk Sutherland of Digicell 4G into 3rd. George Lovell Sr. of Santino’s took the B class, while Sean Duncan of Zitro won the C Class.
Jah over all, I’m James Adderley.
