Ceramic Merryboys fast bowler Reyad Emrit was named on the Trinidad and Tobago cricket team for the Red Stripe Bowl regional one-day cricket series due in Jamaica from October 1. This was revealed in a media release by the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) yesterday. Emrit is the only newcomer in the team who were beaten semi-finalists last year. He gained selection to the squad after his impressive five wickets for 22-run spell for the Rush XI in the Angostura Classic on Sunday against an XS selection at Balmain Village. Fellow Merryboys batsman Aniel Kanhai was also included picked after his two centuries for the West Indies “B” team in the Carib Beer regional competition earlier this year. The left-hander also scored 35 runs on Sunday and looked in good form. However another Merryboys batsman, Lincoln Roberts, a hard hitting stroke player, was left to ponder his future after he was dropped.
Considered one of the most aggressive batsmen in the country, Roberts failed to impress in the Angostura Classic. The selectors have been persisting with the mercurial Tobago right-hander but he has been inconsistent of late. Another surprising omission was young slow bowler Amit Jaggernauth. The talented right-arm off-spinner grabbed six wickets in the two matches during the Angostura series but was dropped in preference of Rodney Sooklal. Sooklal missed the trials but was passed fit to play in the regional tournament. The right-arm offspinner was impressive in the last Red Stripe Bowl forcing the selectors to keep faith in him. Wicketkeeper Gibran Mohammed will also make his senior team debut after some solid performances in
the trials and for First Citizens Clarke Road United in the 2003 domestic cricket season.
Another player making a comeback to the national team is Dave Mohammed. Highly touted in the Caribbean for his left-arm chinaman and googly bowling, he is expected to play the all-rounder’s role on the team. The team will continue to practice at the Sir Frank Worrell Cricket Development Centre, Balmain from today and will be involved in a three-match series against the West Indies Under-19 team starting on Saturday at the National Cricket Centre. TT team: Daren Ganga (capt), Brian Lara, Mervyn Dillon, Dwayne Bravo, Aneil Kanhai, Shazam Babwah, Dave Mohammed, Gibran Mohammed, Dinanath Ramnarine, Reyad Emrit, Andy Jackson, Rodney Sooklal, Imran Jan and Theodore Modeste.
Reserves: Devindra Krishna, Richard Kelly, Kenton Thompson, Keiron Lynch and Navin Chan.
THE “Tigers” St Anthony’s displaced Fatima atop the North Zone standings in the British Gas Secondary Schools Football League after a 6-1 demolition of St Mary’s at St Anthony’s Grounds, Westmoorings yesterday. Captain Julius James, Troy Thompson, Akil De Freitas, Hans Rogers, Abiola Sandy and Kwesi Thompson were all on target as the Tigers recorded their fourth win from five matches. Fatima saw their unbeaten run ended by the inconsistent QRC, who prevailed 2-1 at the QRC Grounds. Aldo Hope put the Royalians in front after seven minutes, with Stephan St Louis drawing level for Fatima in the 9th.
But a Jared Sampson item in the 34th gave the Royalians full points, their third win in as many games. Malick got goals from Hayden Tinto and Andre Joseph as they drew 2-2 against Mucurapo at the Fatima Grounds while Diego Martin edged the sliding Morvant/Laventille 1-0 at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo. Arima’s striker Devon King was both hero and villain as his team whipped newcomers Hillview 4-0, to remain atop the East Zone, at the Marvin Lee Stadium, Macoya. Kevon Smith gave the “Dial Dynamos” the lead after 12 minutes with King doubling his team’s advantage in the 26th. Ricardo Da Silva netted Arima’s third in the 38th while the prolific King tapped home from close range, with a through pass from Kendal Jagdeosingh, in the 67th.
St George’s registered the day’s biggest upset, with a come-from-behind 3-1 win over “the Blue Thunder” El Dorado at the St George’s Grounds with Yannick Pilgrim, Jabari Lander and Kempess Villafana finding the target while Barataria handed San Juan their fifth straight loss, 5-2 at the Barataria Grounds. And “the Green Machine” St Augustine got a double from Shane Calderon, in the 9th and 89th minutes, and another from Kevin McCollin in the 20th, to defeat Toco 3-0 at St Augustine. Pleasantville kept a slim edge over St Benedict’s atop the South Zone after they were held to a 1-1 draw against Vessigny at the Mahaica Oval, Point Fortin while Mayaro edged Fyzabad 1-0 at the Mayaro Recreation Ground. Benedict’s were forced to come from behind twice to draw 2-2 against Naparima in the second match of a double-header at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella.
The experienced Brenton De Leon gave Naparima the lead after 30 minutes before Kendall Penny equalised in the 35th. A penalty from defender Ancil Farrier put Naparima back in front but the La Romain lads earned a share of the points with a Devon Drayton penalty in the 74th. In the earlier match, defending champs Princes Town thrashed bottom-placed Presentation San Fernando 5-1. Signal Hill are ahead of reigning champs Scarborough in the Tobago Zone after a 4-0 mauling of Bishop’s at the Signal Hill Grounds. And Elizabeth’s needed a 49th minute equaliser from Torren Alexander to draw 1-1 against Roxborough at Shaw Park, after Curtnell Joseph put Roxborough ahead in the 39th.
Despite an improved performance by ace hitter Kelly-Ann Billingy, blocker Nadiege Honore and Melissa Tang, the gallant Trinidad and Tobago women’s team bowed to Puerto Rico in the second round match of the NORCECA Championships in Santo Domingo on Monday. The Mascood Ali-coached team lost in three straight sets at 15-25, 14-25, 21- 25, but the score does not truly reflect the fight put up by the Sealy and her girls. Libero Jenna Ferguson and universal player Marina Camps as well as captain Sealy provided valuable support for the frontline hitters and blockers. Billingy led the scorers once again with 17 points.
She recorded 11 against Canada. Wilma Bassini, Yarimar Rosa and Omayra George scored 12 each for the Puerto Rican team, which is coached by David Aleman. Coach Macsood Ali knew that his girls would not be able to stop the traditional powerhouses but the exposure for ten of the players who are eligible for the NORCECA Junior Championships in Montreal, Canada next year is vital he feels. Already the signs are there that they can hold their own against their senior regional counterparts. “We are here to learn and to develop the players’ confidence. They need this exposure against the best players in the NORCECA Zone. There is improvement in every match we have played so far,” he said. Last night, the Trinidadians were due to face reigning Pan-American champions, the Dominican Republic, who were fully tested and extended by the Canadians before emerging victorious in a five-setter. The host nation prevailed by a 3-2 margin, winning 22-25, 25-20, 25-21, 21-25, 15-8. That victory was achieved before another emotionally charged crowd.
Meanwhile, the USA team, coached by Japanese Toshi Yoshida, enjoyed themselves with a clinical performance against Central American champion Costa Rica, winning by a 3-0 margin. The Cubans, who had beaten the Costa Ricans on Sunday, had a bye because Mexico failed to show up. This means that there will be no play-offs for the seven and eight spot. TT chances are slim against the Dominican Republic and will end up in seventh position.
NORCECA Women C/ships Results.
Group A: TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO lost to Puerto Rico 15-25, 14-25, 21-25.
Dominican Republic beat Canada 22-25, 25-20, 25-21, 21-25, 25-21.
Group B: USA beat Costa Rica 25-11, 25-11,25-19.
Cuba – bye.
The National Basketball Federation of Trinidad and Tobago (NBFTT) will, for the first time since 1993, host National Basketball Championships. It will be staged from October 11 to November 30 and involve the country’s top male and female teams. With a $33,700 cash and trophy package alongside individual accolades, the championships also promise a high level of play. At the official launch of the championships yesterday, NBFTT President Clayton Blackman described the the effort as a resurrection of the sport locally designed to rekindle the public’s interest. The plan has also received the support of the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs and a number of corporate bodies.
The championships are part of the NBFTT’s initiative to restore basketball’s prominence in TT and Blackman also revealed plans for a primary schools and a Professional Basketball League. Also on the cards is an NBA-styled competition in the near future. The talents of ten male and eight female teams from the east, north, south-west, central and Tobago zones will bid to top their two respective groups. The top four teams will then clash in a best-of-three “Big Four” showdown to provide the finalist. Registration deadline is September 26 and will cost $1,000 for a 20-member male team and $500 for a 20-member female squad. Men’s winners will collect $8,000 and a trophy, runners-up get $5,000 and a trophy, while $3,000 and a trophy go to the third placed team; and $1,000 for fourth place.
The champion women’s team collect $6,000 and a trophy; with $4,000 and a trophy for the runners-up; third-placed team get $2,000 and a trophy and $1,000 go to the fourth-placed team. There will also be individual awards for male and female MVPs; the Derrick James and Erica Downes Trophies for the “Best Guard;” the Godfrey Archill and Selma Moore Trophies for the “Best Forward;” the Victor O’Garro and Hazel Taylor Trophies for the “Best Centre;” and the Lenny Guy Joseph Trophy for “Coach of the Year”. The full roster of qualified teams is as follows:
Men: UTC Maloney Pacers (East Zone), Sangre Grande All Stars (East Zone), National Flour Mills (North Zone), Detour Shaq Attack (North Zone), Topshotters (Tobago Zone), Seattle (Tobago Zone), Marabella Raptors (South Zone), Cap-de-Ville Hoppers (South-West Zone), Stings (South-West Zone) and Edinburgh 500 Hawks (Central).
Women: UTC Maloney Pacers (East Zone), Malick Tigers (East Zone), Defence Force (North Zone), Courts Horizon (North Zone), Star Seekers (Tobago Zone), Courts Hillbouncers (Tobago Zone), Brian Chase Academy (East Zone) and Police (East Zone).
Following his successful stint as manager of the Trinidad and Tobago team at the TCL Group West Indies Regional Youth series in Guyana, Roland Sampath has been appointed manager of the West Indies youth team. The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) communicated to Sampath yesterday that he will be charge of the team for the Red Stripe Bowl, as well as the Youth World Cup to be held next year in Bangladesh. At present, Sampath is with the West Indies Under-19 team at the Sir Frank Worrell Development Centre, in Balmain Village, Couva. He is preparing the team for a three-match series against TT starting this weekend to be followed by the Red Stripe Bowl.
“I am very happy with the fact that I have been made manager of the West Indies Youth team. This is really nice and it is good to know that people in authority recognise your work,”Sampath said yesterday. “I really enjoyed my stint as manager of the TT Under-19 team which won the regional title in Guyana and I am delighted that an opportunity has presented itself so that I can serve regionally,” the police officer said. Sampath’s first appointment as manager was in 1996 with the TT Under-19 team playing in the regional youth championship in Jamaica. The WICB Advanced-level coach played for TT in 1983 scoring the winning run in the Geddes Grant regional one-day crown with a hooked six off Barbadian fast bowler Wayne Daniel.
GEORGETOWN: Test batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul contributed with bat and ball for Demerara to defeat Essequibo by 19 runs in their El Dorado Inter-County match at LBI on Sunday. Chanderpaul hit a half century in Demerara’s score of 204 for eight off 50 overs, and then took two important wickets as Essequibo fell short in reply at 185 for eight off their 40 overs. Demerara, who had beaten Berbice on Saturday, are now guaranteed a spot in this weekend’s final.
Sent to bat, Demerara were pressured against tight Essequibo bowling. They lost captain Ramnaresh Sarwan (16), before Chanderpaul (70) and Lennox Cush (48) posted a 114-run third-wicket stand to revive the innings. Chanderpaul hit five fours and three sixes and faced only 77 balls for his 70. Off-spinner Elroy Stephney (3-53) and pacer Reon Thomas (2-15) led the bowling for Essequibo, who chased the 205-run target well until they were overpowered by the Demerara bowlers, among them Chanderpaul, who picked up two for 41 off eight overs.
WASA CLEAN AND White and Maraval Youth Academy will try to cement top spot in the All Sport National Super League when action continues today. WASA hold a one-point lead over the unbeaten Maraval lads atop the table, but Maraval have a game on hand over the “water-men.” Therefore the pressure is on WASA to defeat the consistent Crab Connection at the WASA Ground, St Joseph.
If WASA fall short of a victory, then Maraval can reclaim the lead with a win over Club Sando at the Trinity College Ground, Moka. Police are third on the standings, a position they can maintain once they defeat the tottering Mayaro Spurs at the Mayaro Recreation Ground while Caroni will travel east to the Sangre Grande Recreation Ground to meet Tamana United. All matches will begin at 4 pm with the BiWater Stokely Vale-Defence Force contest scheduled from 7 pm at the Dwight Yorke Stadium, Bacolet, Tobago.
SAMBA Xtra Malt East San Juan United regained the lead in the Eastern Football Association in their quest for the Arthur “Jap” Brown Trophy, when they beat Athletico Sports Institute 5-2. Sunday’s match was a personal triumph for striker Allan Sorzano who fired home a hat-trick for the Samba Boys. Dexter Joslyn and Curt Cudjoe got the other goals, while Anthony Peters and Atiba Alexander scored for ASI. Crab Connection fell three points adrift the leaders when they stumbled to a 2-1 defeat by Joe Public. Shevon Noreiga and Aaron Rapper got the goals for the Eastern Lions, while Clevon Raphael scored for the Crabs.
Carib FC stayed in close touch when they eked out a 1-0 win over TSTT on Jellineau Gill’s goal. And defending champions WASA Clean and White made up ground on the leaders when they struggled past bottom-of-the-table East West Coaching School 3-2. Darren Modeste, Eric Roderick and Kent Brumant scored a goal each for WASA, while Alvin Gervera doubled for the “Schoolboys.” Newcomers Hearty Foods Bulls continued their steady climb with a 2-1 victory over Police. Adrian Nunez and Kevin Daniel scored one goal each for the winners, while speedy ex-national striker Dexter Cyrus got the goal for the lawmen. Vladimir Suite scored the only goal of the match for JGS Maloney Two Touch to edge BM Spurs 1-0 in the other match.
WIN number 14 beckons for CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh when they head into the Palo Seco Recreation Ground to face South West Institute of Football (SWIF) in today’s 17th round of the T&T Pro League. Four matches, in both the senior and Under-20 divisions, will take place from 5 pm today. Jabloteh hold comfortable leads in both groups, with an eight-point gap in the seniors and a seven-point advantage in the U-20s. SWIF have been hot and cold in the inaugural season in the top flight, and will have to be at their best to overcome the rampaging Jabloteh unit.
W Connection have struggled to narrow the gap with the league-leaders, and will also have a task on their hands against third-placed South Starworld Strikers at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella. Another team in the chasing pack is North East Stars who can continue their renaissance this season with full points against the inconsistent Arima Fire at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar, Arima. And today’s other fixture will see “the Eastern Lions” Joe Public hosting “the Stallions” Caledonia AIA at the Marvin Lee Stadium, Macoya.
DIRECTOR and head coach of Piranha Aquatics Swim Club, Anil Roberts, was presented with a copy of an official document, from the Town and Country Planning Division, by Sports Minister Roger Boynes last Saturday. The document was proof of Government’s approval for the construction of the George Bovell III Aquatic Centre at Powder Magazine, Cocorite. The centre will be built on five acres of land with work due to begin on October 15. Speaking at the Cocorite location, Roberts said it was a great day for Trinidad and Tobago. “When, after 14 years of struggle and fight, the Government has delivered the promise made by George Bovell to train locally,” said Roberts.
Following his record-breaking haul of two gold and two silver medals at the 14th Pan American Games in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, the 20-year-old Bovell indicated that his wish was to train at an olympic-size 50-metre pool, which will also serve as a base for national teams preparing for overseas competitions. However, Roberts was disappointed with the erection of a sign “Life’s a Breeze” at the site, calling it “ugly”. “We have nothing to do with it,” he said, with a hint of anger. “I’m calling on Pearl and Dean (Caribbean Limited) to take it down.” Completion of the centre, which will include a 50m Olympic-sized pool and a 25-metre version, is listed at December 15. The outline application was submitted by the Piranha Club officials on August 29 with the go-ahead given last Thursday.
