Scots triumph at Silver Sands

Members of the Scotland team which won the recent Silver Sands Five-a-side Football Tournament. - Contributed

The 2009 Silver Sands World Cup Five-a-side Uni-sex Football Tournament - held over three afternoons between December 28 and 30 - at the Old Mule Pen Stadium, Silver Sands, Duncans, was won by the Scots.

Winning players were Gavin Laird, Steven Laird, Fraser Laird, Kathleen Laird, Susan Laird, and Ross Laird. Laird means in Scotland 'lord' or 'landlord' - though most were villa renters at Silver Sands.

As darkness filled the stadium, medals were presented to the Scotland team, who triumphed 2-0 against the odds after defending repeated goal attacks from Jamaica in the first half.

The talented Jamaican team - Mushtaq Perrier, Fabian Edwards, Kale Galloway, Stephanie Fultz, and Ella Lock - came second although their ball control seemed superior. Goal shooting skills were, however, low.

Ireland were awarded the best-dressed team with their matching green hats.

Eight teams

World-acclaimed referee, Philip Clarke, flew down from Canada especially for the event. He had forgotten to pack his shirt and ran around shirtless. For a few years he has not been able to see the boundary lines well and allowed dribbling around a nearby almond tree.

Eight teams took part with representatives from Jamaica, Scotland, England, Ireland, Serbia (first appearance), Canada, Germany and Global Village. More than 100 spectators and players were there watching the match against the backdrop of the Caribbean Sea.

More than $25,000 was raised for a local school from contributions by the spectators and players, who were vacationing at villas on the Silver Sands Estate.