DEFENDING CHAMPIONS Royalty Ballers had to dig deep before overcoming Combined Forces 4-3 last Saturday during a lively opening weekend of the Stag Beer Old Boys Invitational Football League at the Desmond Haynes Oval, Carlton Club.
Luther Watson scored twice for Royalty, who had gone through the inaugural season in 2013 with a 100 per cent winning record.
Steve Moore and Wayne Hunte also netted as the favourites came back from being down 2-1 to clinch all three points against last year’s runners-up.
Early notice was also served by Aged To Perfection, who followed up a 3-2 victory over Wanderers on Saturday with a clinical 2-0 blanking of West Coast Ballers to take the early lead in the standings.
Rale Old Men and United Masters, both winners on Saturday, ended the weekend unbeaten after playing out a 0-0 draw on Sunday.
The tournament had been shoruded in uncertainty due to a dispute with the Barbados Masters Football Associaiton (BMFA). But there was a bright start to the season with 28 goals in seven matches across two days in front of vibrant crowds.
The tournament, in its second year, continues next Saturday with matches at Wanderers and Trents.
Summarised scores:
Saturday:
Royalty Ballers 4 (Luther Watson 2, Steve Moore, Wayne Hunte), Combined Forces 3 (Troy Jordan 2, Azard Weekes).
Aged To Perfection 3 (Philip Polack, Steve Powell, Sean Maloney), Wanderers 2 (Basil Burke, Jeffrey Blackman).
Rale Old Men 2 (David Hood 2), Expendables FC 1 (Elwyn Oxley).
United Masters 3 (David Best 2, Kevin Browne 1), West Coast Ballers 2 (Derek Goodman, Troy Maynard).
Sunday:
United Masters 0, Rale Old Men 0.
Wanderers 3 (Graham Turner, Basil Burke, Jeffrey Blackman), Expendables FC 3 (Ben Crayston, Chris Graham, Elwyn Oxley).
Aged To Perfection 2 (Spencer Hutchinson 2), West Coast Ballers 0. (CC)
