Exchequers crowned champions

Accra, Jan 25, GNA - Exchequers of Bank of Ghana were last Saturday crowned as the Champion of Champions of the 2003 Greater Accra Region Pepsi Cola Hockey league.

Exchequers who also won the Mobitel sponsored Knock Out competition defeated Marine Stars of National Fire Service 6-2 in a ceremonial match played at the National Hockey Pitch.

The fast pace of the game which thrilled the enthusiastic hockey fans from the beginning to end saw Mariners who placed forth in the league scoring first in the 26th minute through Patrick Taylor who had a great afternoon after tearing his opponents defence into shreds.

However, the partisan crowd apparently fed up with Exchequers dominance of the competition decided on cheering the Mariners but the celebration was short lived as Samuel Okine of Exchequers levelled up a minute later from a goalmouth melee to end the half.

From recess, the champions shot up with a goal from Alfred Armah when they invaded the Mariners vital goal area with a volley but the latter reacted with the equalizer a minute later through Dominic Arthur from a short corner kick.

Musah Taminu made amends of an earlier mis-kick when he converted a penalty kick to increase the tally to three.

Mariners came in strongly after the goals but it was the victors who affirmed their superiority on the local front when they netted thrice on the trot all through counter attacks with goals coming from Eddei Odametey, Richard Tackie and Okine respectively.

Exchequers were presented with the league and the champion of champions trophy at the end of the game, while Extinguishers of Fire Service who won the female league were also presented with their league trophy.

Exchequers are expected to represent the country in the next edition of the African Club Championship billed for Abuja, Nigeria alongside female champions, Extinguishers of Fire Service who emerged champions in the female division.