Arima, St Augustine draw 2-2

THE “Dial Dynamos” Arima and the “Green Machine” St Augustine battled to a 2-2 draw in the East Zone as the 2004 season of the Secondary Schools Football League opened at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Arima yesterday. And, in the earlier match of the double-header, St George’s earned a nail-biting 3-2 victory over Barataria.

Arima, vying for their third consecutive East Zonal crown, got strikes from Sheldon Augustine and Michael Hospedales while Lorenzo King netted a double for the “Green Machine.” After Michael De Freitas opened the scoring for St George’s in the 42nd minute, Yohann Romain equalised for Barataria three minutes into the second half. Marlon White restored the lead for St George’s in the 76th but their joy lasted for only four minutes as Dennis Williams levelled the scores for the plucky Barataria outfit. But St George’s will have the final say in the match, as Marlon St Louis got the winner in the 85th.

Two games in the East Zone will be contested tomorrow from 4 o’clock, with the “Blue Thunder” El Dorado hosting debutants Valencia while San Juan will face off against Hillview at Bourg Mulatresse. Meanwhile, the “Tigers” St Anthony’s will begin their quest for a third successive North Zonal crown today when they oppose Malick in the first match of a double-header at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo at 3 pm. Two hours later, QRC will square off against Mucurapo Senior. And, at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella, the South Zone will get going with two fixtures — Princes Town meeting Pleasantville at 3 pm followed by the clash between St Benedict’s and two-time winners Naparima.