Magnolias bloom in Guyana

GEORGETOWN: Trinidad and Tobago’s 2004 national triple crown champion team Magnolias, kick started their campaign in the opening day’s play in the Diamond Mineral Water International Indoor Hockey Festival on Thursday at the Cliff Anderson Sports Hall. Magnolias, who dominated the 2004 hockey season in TT claiming the Indoor, Big Four and League championship titles, dispatched local side Everest Hikers 7-1 in the opening match in the evening’s action.

Nicole Bradshaw led the way with a hat-trick, her goals coming in the 17th, 26th and 27th minutes while Gayle-Ann Nieves slotted in a double. Nieves’ sister Natalie Ann also opened her tournament account in the 12th minute and Kristi-Ann Chin accounted for the seventh goal in the 15th minute. Meanwhile another TT team, Ventures beat Old Fort 5-2.  In the final game of the night, Malvern also of Trinidad and Tobago, were 5-3 victors over national champions Georgetown Cricket Club (GCC). Earlier in the day in men’s action, the Hikers team salvaged some pride for the club with an 8-5 victory over Old Fort and national indoor champions GCC were 3-2 winners against the Guyana Police Force. In the final match of the morning session Hikers male players were 8-5 winners against pre-game favourites Old Fort.