Weekend Sporting Highlights with James Adderley
Good evening, I’m James Adderley and this is Sports Monday.
We take you to Burrell Boom where the faithful who make the La Ruta Maya have congregated on the bank of the Belize River in preparation for the 2016 Belikin La Ruta Canoe Race that has become a favorite with the Belizean public on the Baron Bliss Holiday. Most of the big guns are in the hunt such as the Belize Bank Bulldogs outfitted with a new canoe. The perennial champions finished a disappointing 4th last year. NICH, last year’s 3rd place finisher has come out to test the water. So is Westrac and Koop Sheet Metal who have become competitive. A total of 18 crafts are in Saturday’s start and familiar sign of teamwork, power and precision is always a spectacle to behold as the race to Manatee Lodge gets underway.
6 minutes into the race, the 1st station prize is seized by Westrac featuring Jerry Rhaburn, Jerry Conte and Hener Cruz beating out Chris Guydis in Guydis Canoe while Belize Bank paddles past in 3rd. Westrac remains in command when the event passes Lord’s bank as they grab 2 premies in a row. However, they’re nowhere in sight for the sprint to the finish at Manatee Lodge. The battle for the win is between Belize Bank and NICH…but it’s the bankm featuring Armin Lopez, Efrain Cruz and Alex Cruz in the winners’ circle with a time of 1:19:34. NICH settles for 2nd a second off the pace. Guydis Canoe occupied by Wilberto Daniels, Kenrick Daniels and Chris Guydis pulls up 3rd. The Westrac team would wind up in 4th place after the fast start. Powerhouse in the Intramural Class, Wateva Boys would again prevail for top honors in 1:21. Print Belize takes the Pleasure Class Challenge; Dobie Foundation wins the Mixed Class while the Belize Bank made it to the top of the female class to compliment the men’s win. Folk’s things are already heating up for the 2016 La Ruta Maya.
In football news, we caught up with the CYDP playoffs on Saturday at the MCC with King’s Park Strikers and Kraal Road seeking a berth. Kraal Road seeks to strike early when Charles Canton deals to Kenan Gillett whose attempt inches outside the sticks. Late in 1st half plat, the King’s Park keeper mishandles a routine ball; the rebound drops for Keeron Young who capitalizes to give Kraal Road the 1-zip lead. Folks it gets worse for King’s Park when this corner kick is headed by the defense for the dreaded auto goal to give Kraal Road a 2-nil cushion. Just before the half expires, last week’s King’s Park hero, Latrell Middleton, raises this ball over Kraal Road’s keeper who had come off his line only to see the ball bounce off the corner of the crossbar.
After intermission, Charles Canto gets this open look at goal to increase the Kraal Road lead, but he misses the target. Jason Young then sets table perfectly for Charles Canto and again he fails to deliver. King’s Park gets a last chance to move the scoreboard when Latrell Middleton unleashes this creamer off the set piece that inches out the crossbar. Kraal Road goes on to post the 2-zip big Win and move into the semi-finals as King’s Park exits. In other actions: Uprising Strikers moved on with a 6-1 bashing of Survivors United; Kelly Street also moves on with a 4-1 win over West Lake United and Tut Bay makes the semi-finals with a 3-1 big win over Ebony Lake.
On the basketball scene, the NEBL semi-pro season opened this Friday night inside Sugar City as Orange Walk Running Rebels plays host to the defending champion, San Pedro Tigersharks. On Saturday at San Ignacio, Independence travels to Western Ballaz; Belize City’s No Limit will host Dangriga Warriors at Bird’s Isle and Belmopan Taigaz will be at home inside the UB Gymnasium against Belize City Hurricanes.
Finally folks, Sports Monday mourns the passing of Joseph Carr; a legitimate superstar in long-distance running here in the Jewel and has won every event that has been staged in this category by the Belize Amateur Athletic Association. As a veteran, Joseph won the New Year’s 5K and was looking forward to compete at the highest level again. Sleep on Joe.
Jah over all, I’m James Adderley.
