Coast Progressive United (CPU) put an end to the inspiring run of the IGA Selects with a 5-1 win last Sunday at Kinnikinnick Park to capture the men's playoff championship.
The veteran Selects squad made their first finals appearance in almost 15 years. After going through the first and fourth place teams in the group stage, Selects again successfully employed their rope-a-dope tactic in the semifinal against second place Sechelt Wolves. After going up a goal, Selects then collapsed back on defence, where backline punters Lorne Mackie and Art Dew hammered away everything in sight. Late in the match the crowd leaned forward as Dan Meyers beat his defender on the outside, but Blaine Schleibinger was there for the save. Select's goals came from Ken Campbell and Eric Pinfold, with Junior Dixon scoring for Wolves. Some sideline cynic calledthegamea victory of old age and treachery over youth and skill, until someone noted that longtime Wolves' defender Ian Dixon is no spring chicken either.Sechelt Chiefs and CPU, sponsored by WestCoast Log Homes, faced off in the second semifinal, where the high tempo match ended 1-0. Terry Lavery and Adam August were again both stellar in net, stonewalling strikers as Scott Johnson's low boomer was gloved by Lavery, and Eoin Walker's penalty shot was fistedout by August. Walker atoned for his missed penalty by hammering one into the net off the bottom of the crossbar.
The final saw a half-time score of 1-1 after two excellent strikes. Five minutes into the match Fumi Takahashi sent in a long bomb that looked to be going to the keeper, until Ted Chisholm jumped in front to head the cross into the top corner. Late in the half, a savage strike from JoonRheebarely changed its course as it knocked over a defender on its way into the back of the net.
In the second half, leftback Martin Blackwell stayed goalside and inside of Campbell, while CPU turned it on at the other end, with strikes from Kurt Vernon, Simon Hocking, Dave Rogers and Eoin Walker, to take the match 5-1, and win their first tournament in eight years.The Beer Cup again went to Pender Harbour Bananas, to no one's surprise, as they beat the Gibsons Bruins while Wolves took thirdwith their shoot-out win over the Chiefs.
The league would like to thank its president Sean Whalen, and referees Trevor Cockfield, John Miller, Jim Gray, Jeff Schupe and the assistant referees Ginny Blattler, Melissa Di Pietro and Laurie Miller for an excellent season.
