Bequia SDA perseveres

Eighteen years after their last visit to the final of the Senior Division of the Secondary Schools’ Football Competition, the Bequia Seventh Day Adventist Secondary did what many thought was unthinkable, and that was to lift the 2009 edition.{{more}}

Emerging second from Zone C, runner-up to the Bequia Community High, the Bequia SDA went all the way last week Friday when they overcame the Dr. J P Eustace Memorial Secondary 4-2 in the final played at the Victoria Park.

With only a few dozen supporters as opposed to a large portion of the JP Eustace student body, the Bequia lads made up the numerical disadvantage on the field of play.

Kamal Ollivierre, adjudged the Most Valuable Player of the final, put his team ahead, but his effort was cancelled out by an Azhino Solomon strike. Solomon doubled his tally and that of his team early in the second half.

However, the Bequia SDA, through strikes from Tyrone Tannis, Jamal Ollivierre and Damion Bynoe, in that order, sealed the deal as they wore down their opponents with their speed and stamina.

A delighted Bequia SDA coach Garfield Gurley told SEARCHLIGHT that the win was more than just a victory, but a triumph over the odds.

“I can’t explain. it is an exceptional feeling, a historic occasion for us as it is the first we are winning,” Gurley stated.

“It is a victory not only for the school, but for Bequia Football,” Gurley pointed out.

He recalled the school visiting the final on three previous occasions: 1983, 1987, and 1991, but on each occasion had to settle for the runner up spot.

He credited a live-in camp, which started two days before the final, as adding to the team’s morale and self-belief.

“We tried to keep their focus, and their self esteem and at the same time put in some training and, of course, their academics,” Gurley added.

In the Under-16 final which preceded the senior final, the Campden Park Secondary, on the back of goals from Carey Holder, two, and one each from Nazron Hoyte, Eon Perry and Chrisroy John, gave them a five-nil silencing to the Georgetown Secondary.

Holder, for his effort, was adjudged that division’s Most Valuable Player of the final.

The top goal scorer in the Under-16 Division was Olex Anderson of the Central Leeward Secondary, formerly, the Barrouallie Secondary, and in the Under-21, seniors, Richard Roberts of the Dr. J P Eustace Memorial.

But the recipients of the trophies and awards almost did not get to savour their moments of glory as the presentation ceremony did not live up to expected standards.

The late arrival of the trophies had the students, teachers and a few spectators rooted in the hot sun. However, as chairperson of the ceremony Earl “ Caba” Bennett was making an announcement to have an alternative presentation, the trophies found their way to the Victoria Park.

This slip up led to a shelving of the speeches, which should have heard remarks from the sponsors, the St. Vincent Brewery, a representative from the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Football Federation, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of National Mobilisation. (RT)