Pepsi Hockey League - Preview of Week 24

Exchequers set to Retain Championship in Men’s Division: After the end of the exciting KN Owusu Tournament, the action return to the Greater Accra Pepsi Hockey league on Saturday December 21, 2002 with some crucial matches.

Unstoppable Exchequers of Bank of Ghana, who have defied their slacken form lately to propel themselves to the pinnacle of the Greater Accra Pepsi Hockey League competition will be in action. The Central Bankers look set to pitch a three-peat by retaining the title they have won in 1999 and 2001 when they take on the old men of Ghana hockey, Veterans Hockey club in their 24th week league match at 8:15 on Saturday morning at the National Hockey Pitch. Victory for Exchequers will put them 4 points clear of nearest rivals Marine Sticks who will not be in action this weekend with one match left for both teams. Incidentally, the two teams will face each other on the last day of competition, which has been scheduled for the first week of January 2003.

Perhaps, the old men, buoyed by their first win of the season during the 23rd week, could slip a surprise should the Bankers take the match lightly. That however, seems quite remote especially when the non-sympathetic Bankers can feel the glory of the championship within their reach. It promises to be exciting, but it looks like the Central Bankers will seal another championship on the day and could in the process inflict heavy damage on the old men.

In other matches, Multistix, fresh from their 3-1 bashing of a combined team of Veterans and Citizens during the KN Owusu tournament will seek to pick the three points at stake when they play Reformers of the Prisons Service at 6:45am. Kingsticks square up with Citizens, and Trustees face the rejuvenated Golden Sticks in the afternoon. In the juvenile encounter, Multi Babies play Tema Stars while GAHA Stars take on Street Academy.

Reformers Retain Ladies’ Championship:

Reformers of Prison Service assured themselves of a 3rd consecutive Pepsi League championship when they defeated CEPS 3-1 in their outstanding league match on Tuesday morning. The match against CEPS complete the round of matches for Reformers who by this win lead rivals Extinguishers of Ghana National Fire Service who have a game in hand by 4 points. Reformers worked hard throughout the game but had to wait till 5 minutes from the end of the first half when Hagar Laryea hit the backboard from open play. CEPS created the chances but were unable to convert the opportunities into goals. Reformers raced into a 3-0 lead after half-time through Georgina Sam (47th) and Mary Larnyor (51st) before Janet Gyasi pulled one back for CEPS in the 63rd minute.

In this weekend’s match, CEPS will seek to redeem their image when they play whipping girls, Comets at 2:30pm. Comets are yet to score a goal all season let alone winning a match. It looks like an easy passage for CEPS to atone for their inability to make a mark on this years championship.