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Americas

by MIKE OWEN

The new BWIA hockey season starts this afternoon as the old ended in October ? with a game between the two teams who have dominated men?s hockey for the last eight years: BS&T Maple and Peugeot Combermere School Old Scholars.

In 2003?s last game, Maple upset the hitherto unbeaten Old Scholars? hopes of adding the knockout title to their First and Second Division championships by beating them in the final.

And now the two teams will open the season at 5:30 p.m. at the Wildey Astroturf by playing for the title of Trophy World Champion of Champions.

Both teams had 100 per cent victorious tours to Trinidad and Tobago last weekend and so the match should get the season off to a cracking start.

Both clubs have largely unchanged squads. Ryan Williams continues to captain the Old Scholars, while former national defender Emmerson Phillips leads Maple.

If last year?s form continues the two teams will be leading the race for the 2004 Division 1 title.

Last year the main challenge to these two clubs came from Berger Paints YMCA, Vitamalt All Stars and Harris Paints Wanderers.

The ?Y? started well but fell away after the break for the Banks Festival when leading goal scorer Rohan ?Teno? Thomas went to England to help Harrogate Club gain promotion to the National League.

He will be rejoining the Yorkshire club ? together with team-mate and national defender Shawn Harewood ? in September.

All Stars have lost their outstanding 16-year-old national forward Laurando Davis to newly promoted CCB Empire; striker Al Lawrence to Harris Paints Wanderers; and their inspirational coach and former club and national midfielder Colin Elcock to Wanderers.

Wanderers have been making a concerted effort to become genuine title-contenders. Led by national goalkeeper Paul Inniss, they have been working hard under professional coach Elcock.

In addition to Lawrence they have gained former CSOS forward Gregory Williams and junior national player Jamal Williams.

Hoping to have a good 2004 will be Banks Round House Eastern Stars and BNB Deacons. Barbados Defence Force have, at their request, been moved to Division 2 and their replacements are CCB Empire, led by experienced defender Rudy Bascombe.

The rest of the team includes some promising youths who had their hockey training in the sports camp run at the club every summer vacation.

Camp graduates make up the bulk of the newcomers to Empire?s women?s squad. The club successfully introduced several younger players last year and their playing level was the highest in the competition.

Empire, captained by goalkeeper Lana Als, will be fancied to make the club repeat double crown champions.

Empire?s claim will be especially strong since last year?s runner?s-up, BS&T Maple, are expected to be affected by the departure of key players including national women?s captain and accomplished defender Maria Browne and midfielder Heidi Alleyne, who are moving to the recently revived Peugeot CSOSA team.

ESA Fields Pickwick, who had their best season for years and reached the knockout final, are expected to maintain the improvement.

Last season, BNB Deacons were affected by the unavailability of key players and finished sixth ? their worst placing for years. Coach Ralph Watson is confident that the squad, led by Angela Thompson, has sorted out that problem.

Avengers started last season promisingly but towards the end were unable to field full teams. As a solution to the problem of dwindling membership, an approach by Wanderers has seen half the Avengers players joining the 127-year-old club to form its first women?s sports team.

The rest of the Avengers have attracted some schoolgirls and so they will also be playing this season.

Berger Paints and Banks Eastern Stars will be hoping to maintain last year?s improvement, as will the two bottom teams ? Raiders and Vitamalt All Stars ? which are largely made up of senior players.

Peugeot CSOS are returning to the competition after a six-year absence. With Maria Browne and some other good players they have the potential to be quite competitive.

Today?s activities include a parade of teams at 4 p.m, the opening ceremony, the feature Champion of Champions game at 5:30 p.m. and a barbecue.

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