Relegated East Mucurapo make history as InterCol champs

It silenced supporters of the “La Romain Lions” and stunned the players who worked so hard to get there, taking down dual title holders Naparima College on the way. But a contest that could have fine either way deserved to have a winner in regulation time, and that winner needed to have a bit of luck when both teams fluffed several excellent chances, especially in the second period.

Hoyce took his in the dying minutes, and the luck remained with East Mucurapo, as they staved off desperate dashes from the South InterCol champs to grab their first title since 2008, and their third overall InterCol title, and victory over the team that handed them a 2-0 loss to open the season.

It was almost poetic that the Mucurapo Road team won; they were perhaps the unluckiest team in the debut Premier League. They were competitive in most of their matches, but won only one victory and a draw in 13 outings.

The silver lining in their dark cloud now would be the best-ever send off: they are the first relegated team to be crowned InterCol champions. East Mucurapo manager Brinsley Hutson predicted it would be a hotly-contested final, and one where a single mistake would make the difference. For both teams, there were many mistakes, especially in attack.

Mucurapo enjoyed the best of the half, but St Benedict’s should have gone into the break with an advantage, except that Mucurapo manager Brinsley Hutson predicted it would be a hotly-contested final, and one where a single mistake would make the difference. For both teams, there were many mistakes, especially in attack.

Mucurapo enjoyed the best of the half, but St Benedict’s should have gone into the break with an advantage, except that winger Joseph Matthew could not reach a ball at the far post. Matthew and Shemar were wasteful with solo runs down the right towards the near post.

The teams traded blows on the “Hasely” turf. Three days ago St Benedict’s coach Dexter Cyrus told the Express his team had only conceded in the Premier League from set plays, and that was their downfall this time around as well.

From a corner kick St Benedict’s scrambled to clear, and three East Mucurapo attackers swung goalward and missed before Hoyce rammed home the loose ball. St Benedict’s should have equalised when opposing goalie Aaron Enil dropped the ball, but his defenders earned their keep, while Matthew again missed point blank range.

It left St Benedict’s to ponder on what might have been as time ran out. At the end SuperBlue’s soca hit, “Fantastic Friday”, blared from the speakers.

It certainly was for Mucurapo, whose consolation of not playing in the top flight next year is more than enough.

Coca Cola Boys’ National Intercol final Results

Mucurapo East Secondary 1 (Tekay Hoyce 86) v St Benedict’s College 0.

Teams

Mucurapo East Secondary: 30.Aaron Enil (GK); 6.Akquinde Marslin, 5.Adofa Perpignac (captain), 4.Keshawn Mark, 7.Malique Quow; 11.Kathon St Hillaire, 13.Micah Lansiquot, 21.Sherlon Roberts, 10.Kazim Donald; 26.Nkosi McQueen (3.Tekay Hoyce 70th), 20.Glenroy Pierre (22.Ishaq Abdullah 79th).

Unused substitutes: 25.Okera Cox, 14.Keshawn Hutchinson, 16.Christian Grillet.

Coach: Selris Figaro

St Benedict’s College: 25.Jamari Warrick (GK); 9.Anthony Herbert, 2.Levi Crawford, 3.Taryll Coutou (captain), 6.Matthew Joseph; 8.Kadeem Gittens, 19.J’deem Parris; 10.Shemar Ravello, 5.Judah St Louis (11.Ruel Tyson 65th), 7.Shakille Williams; 20.Meriba Des Cartes.

Unused substitutes: 1.Jabari Gray (GK), 16.Vishal Gunness, 18.Stephen Ashby, 21.Rodande Charles, 22.Caleb Gaspar, 24.Jevaughn Humphrey.

Coach: Dexter Cyrus