GANDER, NL – The NLVA Molson Senior Provincials in Gander earlier this month marked a big win for the Carmanville-based Noggin Cove Enterprise-Four Winds Raiders.
The team went from losing its first three matches and facing elimination from the playoffs to defeating the Modern Crushers in the finals to win its first Senior Male A championship.
Related: NLVA Molson Senior Provincials
It was quite the accomplishment for a team that has only been in place for the past two years.
“We figured, if we were going to do this, we’d better do it soon because we’re getting to old,” said team member Paul Easton.
“We committed to it last year, played a series of tournaments around the province and did quite well with it.”
While the first showing at the provincial tournament didn’t go too well, Easton said the determination was there to try again in 2018.
“We were hungry, so we committed to it again, doing the same thing, playing tournaments around the province and it just all came together for the Gander tournament,” he said.
“We played for each other and not ourselves – it’s been the Carmanville way for a long time and it really paid off.”
Easton said a lot of planning goes into the tournament, from organizing to travelling, and says the event wouldn’t be the success it is without a lot of support.
As a gesture of thanks to those who have supported the players over the years – from the formative years when they were developing skills to supporting the current team – the Raiders will donate their championship plaque to the local school.
“This was about a community of people coming together to make this happen and this will be our way of showing our appreciation,” said Easton.
