Audley Boyd, Assistant Editor - Sport

Boys' Town striker Oneil McDonald (right) slides into St Georges' defender Keion Clunis as the ball bounces between both players, during the Digicel Premier League (DPL) match at the Colour Reds' home ground at Collie Smith Drive yesterday. The game was blown off due to a waterlogged pitch at the 55th minute, with the scores level at 1-1. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

IN pouring rain, red and white clad Boys' Town and visiting Portland team, St Georges, tried as best as they could in a battle as even as the 1-1 scoreline until referee Courtney Campbell inevitably blew off the Digicel Premier League contest at the 55th minute.

The Colour Reds, sporting uniform with a base depicting their traditional nickname, grabbed an early lead through Xavian Virgo at the seventh minute. But St Georges, clad in a base white uniform that had taken on earthen colours by the time they left the pitch, pegged back a goal at the 14th when Denroy Dennis equalised.

For much of the remainder of the half, it rained, and rained, and rained. The field held up quite well as there was hardly any puddles and both teams were able to play constructively with passes along the turf. They were also positive, seeking to go forward each time.

Penetrative

St Georges were more direct but Boys' Town, who played with quite a bit of latitude, were more penetrative and were more threatening in a contest that, quite predictably, degenerated into a scrap as it went beyond the interval when the rain pelted in torrents.

Large puddles became evident, the ball could hardly move and even spectators were given a chance to join the action when Renae Lloyd's feet gave way and he slipped along the turf as he leaned backwards to deliver a cross.

Within a minute, Campbell took up the ball, threw it nearly 10 feet into the sky. When it fell, the water on the pitch delivered one of the most beautiful ball-controls you'd ever seen. It was 'dead'.

Game over.

"I tried but it didn't work out," noted Campbell, who was clearly hoping that the rains would've subsided.

Both coaches also felt the referee held out as long as he could have.

"One of the reasons why I thought he prolonged the game is because there wasn't any lightning or any threat of lightning, but when it got to the point where the ball couldn't move, I think he didn't have a choice," noted Boys' Town's technical director, Andrew Price.

Fixtures

Twice now their fixtures have been washed out.

"Most teams would've completed four games and we've completed only two, but we've to keep the players focused and deal with each game as it comes," noted Price, whose team remained on four points.

"We've some games outstanding and we hope we cam maximise the points when they come," he added.

Relating to the referee's game-ending decision, Maxwell said: "I think the ref called off the game at the right time because I thought the puddles of water had increased and it had become difficult for both teams to play their natural game."

He added: "The field is in lovely condition, I congratulate Boys' Town to have brought the field up to this level. It's a lovely, lovely field."