BERGER YMCA jumped to the top of the Barbados Hockey Federation’s Men’s Premier League on Wednesday night, riding a hat-trick from playmaker Rohan “Teno” Thomas to score a convincing 5-2 win over CGI Maple at the Hockey Centre, Wildey.
Maple enjoyed the better of the early exchanges before the “Y” settled down to assert their authority.
Thomas provided the first goal of the game in the 25th minute, capping a wonderful solo run that began outside the 25-yard line. The national star rode a couple of robust Maple tackles before eliminating goalkeeper Henderson Archer and slotting home from a tight angle on the right.
Thomas, who turns 31 later this month, put YMCA 2-0 up just before half-time with a typically clinical penalty corner drag flick.
Maple got themselves back into the contest soon after the restart through Danny Pinder’s swift swivel and crisp strike past custodian Kevin McClean.
But the YMCA quickly regained control with a goal from player/coach Ralph Watson three minutes later and a third from Thomas.
The 53-year-old Watson demonstrated that his goal-scoring instincts have not deserted him with a deft push into the far corner, while Thomas’ hat-trick was completed when he settled down a miscontrolled penalty corner and blasted home his hit as defenders backed off.
Thomas soon added an assist to put YMCA up 5-1, Rene Simmons having the simplest of tap-ins from eight yards out.
Maple got a late consolation when Ramon Leacock, their best player on the night, slammed home after a fine weaving run.
Last Sunday, Thomas and Simmons were also on target as YMCA, the 2008 League and 2009 Knockout champions, defeated Eastern Stars 2-0.
In the Women’s Premier League, defending champions Combermere School Old Scholars (CSOS) and Empire continue to make the running.
Last Saturday, hat-tricks from Keisha Jordan and Katrina Greaves catapulted CSOS to a 7-0 romp over Deacons, while rising star Ayanna Maughn and stalwart Nicky Brathwaite led Empire to a 2-0 win over University of the West Indies (UWI).
Premier League results since end of Banks International Hockey Festival:
Men
CSOS 4, Empire 1; Eastern Stars 2, All Stars 1; Maple 2, Eastern Stars 0; Maple 2, All Stars 2; Wanderers 5, Empire 1; Deacons 1, CSOS 0; YMCA 2, Eastern Stars 0.
Women
UWI 1, Maple 1; Deacons 4, All Stars 1; Empire 2, UWI 1; CSOS 7, Deacons 0.
