Heated Rivalries and Classic Warriors Cross Country Finish

Good morning Belizean ballers and non ballers. I’m Shane Williams and this week we have a power packed edition of sporting spectacular right here on Sports Monday. 

 

We kick things off in Orange Walk for the rematch between the Running Rebels and the Belize City Defenders. The new look Defenders trailed early in their attempt to redeem themselves from a seventeen point open night melt down. After a brawl, Defenders had to finish the rest of the game with six players to Rebels five for seventy-one to sixty-two win. The men at the center of the brawl, Defenders’ Ajang Aguek and Rebels’ Kenneth Perkins Jr. both finished with twenty points to lead all scorers.

 

In San Ignacio on Saturday the Cayo Western Ballaz took down the top ranked San Pedro Tigersharks by fifteen points, ninety-three to seventy-eight. Mark Gordon and Clency “Coope” Lopez put on a show with thirty-five points and twenty-eight points respectively. And in Corozal, the Spartans secured their first victory of the season with an eighty-two to seventy-two win over the Belmopan Trojans. Terrence Johnson Jr. led a balanced scoring attack for the Spartans, being one of five players in double figures with seventeen points. Bryan Hudson scored twenty-six points for the Trojans to lead all scorers. Looking at the updated standings we see no separation at the top with three teams boasting a five and two record. The league is getting real hot!

 

Now let’s take a stroll on the road with the Weekend Warriors Cross Country Cycling Classic, after powering through the 70-mile course from Santa Elena, Cayo, to San Cas Plaza in Belize City on Sunday morning. A total of 84 riders lined up at the start. The race began on Loma Luz Boulevard and took riders along the George Price Highway, across the Chetumal Street Bridge, and onto the Philip Goldson Highway in a demanding test of endurance and speed. It all came down to this three men sprint between Brandon Cattouse of Running Rebels, Henry Moreira Bundles of Joy and Kenroy Gladden of SPD. And it was Moreira using every ounce of strength to edge out Brandon Cattouse for the win in three hours, thirteen minutes and fifty seven seconds. Kenroy “Smokes” Gladden finished third.

 

Henry Moreira, 1^st Place Winner, Weekend Warriors Cross Country

“I done know Brandon da good sprinter. So I done know fi I win this race, I have to try do a long sprint. No. And so I just managed to wait and I ended up, they stay the last position, make everybody the fit in so that I could pay attention to what the happen. And I just manage to start a long sprint. I see Brandon, the come pan the left and I manage the lock off the left so he end up the gone pan the right. So when he gone pan the right I just kick lee more. He end the come on my crank but I manage fi win the race.”

 

Eighty-one weekend warriors started the race, including three women, but only fifty-three managed to complete the grueling route. In the B Category, Liam Stuart of M&M Engineering crossed the line first to take the win, ahead of Kenny Gladden of Team Loans 2 Go in second and Roque Matus, also of M&M. And in the Female Category, the only finisher Kedisha Francis emerged as the winner. The annual race once again delivered a strong showing of endurance cycling talent across Belize, with close finishes and competitive performances in all categories.

 

Under the lights and in front of an energized crowd, Reggae Boyz FC and Kelly Street FC delivered a competitive showdown in what was billed as the match of the day. Reggae Boyz struck first, finding the back of the net in the 37th minute through Jaheem Thomas, giving them a one-nil lead heading into the latter stages of the match. But Kelly Street responded in the second half. Winfield Fisher leveled things up in the 50th minute, capitalizing on an opportunity to bring his side right back into contention. With the score locked at one apiece, both teams pushed for a late winner but solid defending and missed chances like with this offsides on either end kept the deadlock intact. Before we wrap up, a huge congratulations to the Lady Jaguars who defeated Suriname in the CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers by a score of two-nil. Behind this penalty kick in the seventieth minute by Mikhaila Bowden. Then in the seventy-sixth minute, Alisha Terry finessed this shot just above the reach of Suriname’s keeper to double the lead.  Well that’s all we have for you this week.

 

Once again, I’m Shane Williams reminding you that friendly competition unites and balling is life, so keep balling Belize!!

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

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