Cyrus hat-trick a boost for Eden Stars

A Rihanna Cyrus hat-trick highlighted the final day of the first half of the Barbados Football Association’s Women’s League at Friendship Playing Field on Sunday.

Playing in the opening game of a triple-header, Cyrus inspired Unity 1 Eden Stars to a 5-3 win over Empire.

In the second game, Mavericks dismissed sister club Technique 3-0 and in the highly-anticipated feature match, University of the West Indies (UWI) and National Sports Council (NSC) played to a goalless draw.

Cyrus took her tally to eight goals in six matches as she continues to enjoy her debut season in the league. The 14-year-old forward registered goals in the 11th, 23rd and 52nd minutes and was well assisted by strike partner Nashandi Clarke, who scored two goals in the 16th and 45 minutes.

Empire responded through Nickeisha Nurse in the 32nd and 66th minutes and Aaliyah Alleyne in the 41st minute for the 2012 champions, who currently sit at the bottom of the seven-team league on one point.

Mavericks stayed hot on the heels of table leaders NSC with a convincing 3-0 win to take them onto 15 points, one behind the leaders.

The loss leaves Technique with just three points at the end of the first round and lots of work to do in the second half of the season.

NSC found the challenge of UWI a respectable one as both teams played to a tie. UWI were without some key players due to suspension but they held firm and frustrated the NSC attack and, most of all,  thwarted NSC from getting victory number six from six matches.

UWI joined Genesis in third position, moving to 10 points and will be considered title challengers if their form continues into round two. (ROG)