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A DOUBLE attraction followed by the official opening ceremony moved the Barbados Hockey Federa-tions Olympio/BWIA 2005 season into full swing last Sunday at the Wildey Astroturf . The first game brought together CSOS against Wanderers (Division One women), followed by the showdown between female powerhouses Empire and ESA Field Kotex Pickwick.
The first mens game on the fixture was between last years runners up Maple and YMCA. This game started off pretty much even with the team from trents baiting their opponents for the first opening. The first goal came in the latter part of the first half from the stick of former National forward and veteran, Venslough Leacock who still shows that he can still find the target.

Early in the second half YMCA equalised from a penalty corner strike from Shawn Harewood. Maple proved to be the more dominant team on the night, but just couldnt find the target with their forwards squandering many opportunities to cement a comfortable victory.

However they broke the jinx and found the target two more times both from the stick of Shawn Cumberbatch who netted twice. First in 61st minute and second in the 65th. In the final seconds of the game both teams were reduced to ten men after a dangerous play between Adrian Nichols (Maple) and Dexter Clarke (YMCA).

In the final game of the night, last years winners, CSOS took on Wanderers. The game was even for about the first 25 minutes of the first half until Ryan Drayton exhibited a bit of brilliance to open up the scoring.

In the second half Wanderers equalised through former CSOS player Andrew Muffy Payne with a thunderous penalty corner strike. This gave the team from Dareylls Road a glimpse of hope to gave the reigning champions a doubtful start to the 2005 season.

However the Old Scholars were not to be undone, raising their game and scoring two more times through Gregory Puckerin in the 47th minute and their captain Paul Reid in the 70th. On Sunday 15th May, there was a seven a side warm up tournament to the season. If this tournament is to serve as any indication as what this years 2005 season would have in store then you would regret if you miss a game.

Maple showed their dominance and sent the message to other clubs by winning the men and Deacons also gave the female hockey powerhouses a little something to think about.

In the Mens Finals Maple trounced All Stars 5-1 to cement the victory. In womens final Deacons defeated Maple 3-0 to win that aspect of the competition.

Hockey will continue today at the Wildey Astroturf from 6:30 p.m.when the Division 2 competition gets on the way.Ç

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