Week 2 of the Belize Bank Super League Tournament 2011 included one Saturday night game and three on Sunday afternoon, March 6; and when it was over, defending champions Raymond Gentle-City Boys United were at the top of the early standings with a perfect 2-0 record.
In the only Saturday night game, Griga Knights defended their home base at the Carl Ramos Stadium, turning back Placencia Assassin by a 2-1 score with goals from Leonard Valdez (38 min) and Jeffery Apolonio (41 min). Luis Torres scored a late goal (89 min) for the Assassins.
In the first of three Sunday afternoon games, Hattieville Monarch drew at home at the Hattieville Football Field, 1-1, with Cayo South United. This was the second 1-1 draw for Hattieville in as many outings.
Meanwhile, up north at the People’s Stadium in Orange Walk, visiting Paradise Freedom Fighters from Toledo dropped home standing Orange Walk United, 2-1, with late goals from Devon Makin (27 min) and Ralph Flores (63 min), after Oliver Hendricks (57 min) had given Orange Walk the lead early in 2nd half.
The other Sunday affair was a strong statement from defending champions Raymond Gentle-City Boys United, who cruised to their second victory in convincing fashion, 5-1, over the other City based team, newcomers Third World. Deon McCaulay opened the scoring for City Boys at the 11th minute, Tyrone “T-Bone” Muschamp then delivered a hat trick (19, 44 & 57 min), and Leon “Lem” Jones (74 min) completed the scoring for the defending champs. Jamal Martinez (59 min) got the consolation goal for Third World.
It was an impressive victory for the City Boys team that has made some constructive additions to their line-up from last season, and are now undoubtedly “the team to beat”, as other squads try to streamline their game in the new season. Third World has some quality ingredients, but it is left to be seen if they can become a cohesive unit, like Raymond Gentle-City Boys United seems to have become.
Starting 11 at the MCC on Sunday: Raymond Gentle-City Boys United (head coach John Pollard) – Stanley “Jordan” Reneau in goal, Ian Gaynair, Shawn “Chuckie” Thurton, Nigel Franklin, Mark Grant, David “Dav” McCaulay, Jr., Ryan Simpson, Jason “Paxon” Young, Leon “Lem” Jones, Deon McCaulay (captain), Tyrone “T-Bone” Muschamp. Third World (head coach David “Manu” McCaulay, Sr.) – Elroy “Zabel” Rowley in goal, Godson Michel, Leon Cadle, Orland Lyons, Ernest Wiltshire, Udrick Gonzalez, Dienmercy Pierre, Mark “Kelo” Leslie, Ernest Flores, Travis Eiley, Dion “Pussy” Flowers (captain).
Week 3 schedule:
Sunday, March 13
3:30 p.m. – Placencia Assassin vs Hattieville Monarch FC – Placencia Football Field
3:30 p.m. – Cayo South United vs Griga Knights – Camalote Football Field
3:30 p.m. – Paradise/Freedom Fighters vs Third World FC – Toledo Union Field
4:00 p.m. – Raymond Gentle-City Boys United vs Orange Walk United – MCC Grounds
SMART Challenge Cup Tournament
In the only Week 5 game played on Saturday, March 5, at 5:30 p.m. at the MCC Grounds, Atlantic Bank defeated Kelly Street, 3-1, with goals from Rodrigo Grijella (19 & 78 min) and Pslan Ribz (56 min). Hosnio Thurton (35 min) scored for Kelly Street.
Week 6 schedule at the MCC:
Friday, March 11
6:00 p.m. – King’s Park FC vs Atlantic Insurance
8:00 p.m. – Ebony Lake vs Kelly Street
Saturday, March 12
5:00 p.m. – West Lake vs Yabra FC
7:00 p.m. – Brown Bombers vs KHMH Authority
It was refreshing to see a number of youngsters handling themselves well in the Bosuns. The Sea Scouts under training with the Belize Sailing Association, are the start of a bigger future for boat racing in Belize.
Eckert Lewis, owner of Samantha L., a past sailing dorey champion, of the traditional wooden dugout variety, promised to challenge Dean Lindo’s Martin and Sandra in the Manatee Regatta, scheduled for later this year. Samantha L. did not race on Sunday.
Beating all the international class small craft – Hunters, Picos, Darts, etc. on Sunday was a stunning achievement for Lindo’s sailing dories, which, though not the traditional dugout (they are made of fiber glass), still have the design of the “fantastic sixteens”. Of course, it takes a really capable crew to sail a racing dorey, and Belize may have done something to catch the attention of the foreign racing community. The “sixteens,” manned by the best sailors of Manatee, ruled on Sunday, taking 1st and 2nd in the All Comers race.)