Magnolias, Parkites win Big 4 hockey

CARIB MAGNOLIA and Queen’s Park won the respective women’s and men’s crowns as the Trinidad and Tobago Hockey Board (TTHB) Big Four tournaments came to an end on Sunday at the National Hockey Centre, Tacarigua. But the day was marred with controversy as the Defence Force’s men team were expelled from the event after they staged a walkout during their match against United Petrotrin.

The Army-Coast Guard combination and the “oilmen” were tied at 3-3 with two minutes to go when the protest action was taken. The matter is currently being investigated by both the TTHB and the Defence Force. Magnolia ended the tournament on a winning note with a 4-0 triumph over the Defence Force, with national standout Stacey Siu Butt netting twice, in the 15th and 56th minutes, while Candice De Freitas (fifth) and Mika Ella Tang (22nd) added one apiece. The Parkites sealed the men’s crown after a 2-1 win over Malvern, with goals from Raphael Govia (22nd) and Ryan Cowie (59th), while Collin Byron pulled back one for Malvern in the 69th. In the day’s other women’s fixture, Maritime Checkers got past Malvern 2-0 with strikes from Pemba Ramdoo in the 14th and Kecia Jones in the 55th.