A double from powerfully built captain Sankara Price led Alexandra to a 2-1 triumph over Combermere School in the Girls’ Under-13 final of the CRS Building &?Maintenance Schools’ Indoor Hockey Competition which climaxed yesterday at the Wildey Gymnasium.
But after losing that title, Combermere retained both crowns in the Under-15 division.
With the battle expected to be a showdown between the prolific Price and her opposite Jada Prescod of Combermere, the Waterford squad seized the advantage in the third minute of the first half, with Prescod blasting into the right corner of Alexandra’s bars.
In the fifth minute, Alexandra gained a short corner that Price converted to even the score, ending the first half 1-1.
Two minutes into the second half, Shanesia Murphy executed a superb tackle to thwart a weaving run from Prescod, who looked likely to score her team’s second.
The counter from Alexandra saw a pass to Price and the predictable shot being blocked by a Combermere defender who stepped on the ball, handing a penalty to the Queen Street lasses. Price thundered the ball into the left boards for Alexandra to take the upper hand.
A brilliant save by keeper Shekola Carrington on a rocket from Prescod seconds before the final whistle ensured that the advantage and the trophy would head north.
Combermere’s Under-15 boys immediately made amends by beating Christ Church Foundation 1-0, thanks to a goalkeeper’s blunder.
After a frenetic start to the game, Foundation’s Paul Doughty, who looked a competent and aggressive keeper, attempted to kick out a harmless ball to one of his teammates but the ball sailed out of the playing area.
The resulting penalty corner saw Kyle Brathwaite scoring for Combermere, who defended stoutly to retain their crown.
Combermere girls then exacted full vengeance in the Under-15 finals by repeating as champions with a 3-1 win over Alexandra.
Senior trialist Venessa Chewitt struck twice and Tiffany Belle added the third, while Murphy pulled a goal back for Alexandra.
Competition also started in the senior boys’ and girls’ divisions yesterday. The boys’ final is set to be an all-Combermere tussle with the “A” and “B” teams opposing each other.
Combermere also lead the girls’ section. Springer Memorial are in second place and Alexandra are in third, still with an outside chance of making the final at a date to be determined.
Last week, Foundation beat Harrison College to take the Boys’ Under-13 crown.
