When First Citizen’s Clarke Road batted, he struck an aggressive 72. Then Mahadeo Bodoe turned up yesterday to grab five wickets for 18 runs to lead his team to a 23-run win over Clico Preysal in the semi-finals of the Carib Cup limited overs cricket series at Gilbert Park, California.

The Penal boys now meet Ceramic Merryboys in the final.Chasing 214 runs for victory, Preysal got off to a brisk start reaching 82 from 10 overs as hard-hitting Andy Jackson went after the Clarke Road bowling. However his dismissal for 51 slowed the run rate. The opener thrilled the huge crowd with eight fours and a six. Former West Indies all-rounder Keith Arthurton then played a very intelligent knock and together with Aaron Ragoonath, who made 31, paced the innings towards a seeming victory. However the intervention of the experience pair of spinners in Bodoe and Trinidad and Tobago  player Mukesh Persad then turned the match on its head as the pair claimed the last seven wickets.

Arthurton was dismissed by Bodoe for 41 that included a six and five fours and Dinesh Ramdin fell in the same over. All this while the required run rate was climbing. With quick runs needed wickets started to fall and PowerGen fell for 193, with Bodoe finishing with five for 18 and Persad, three for 28. Bodoe for his efforts was named “Man of the Match”. President of Clarke Road Cricket Club, Baldath Mahabir, said after that the key point in the match  was the introduction of the experienced Persad and Bodoe towards the end of the innings. “The experience showed in the end and we must say thanks to our captain for a great performance that has now taken us to the finals,” Mahabir said.

SUMMARISED SCORES
FCB Clarke Road 213/5 (30 overss) (Mahadeo Bodoe 72 n.o., Sean Siloch 44, Damodar Dasrath 32, Gibran Mohammed 25, Kenton Thompson 16, Anderson Bryce 2/27, Keith Arthurton 1/28) def Clico Preysal 193 all out (Andy Jackson Keith Arthurton 41, Aaron Ragoonath 31, Mahadeo Bodoe 5/18, Mukesh Persad 3/28) —- By 23 runs. “Man-of-Match”: Mahadeo Bodoe.  

Recently appointed West Indies cricket captain Brian Lara says he would be thrilled to see his friends Russell Latapy and Dwight Yorke play for Trinidad and Tobago again. Yorke and Latapy, struggling to satisfy the conflicting demands of club duties in Britain and national representation, retired from international football during the World Cup qualifiers in 2001 following disagreements with then national coach Rene Simoes. The 33-year-old Lara, who will captain the West Indies against Australia in the First Test starting today in Guyana, believes their exit from international football was premature.

“It was such an abrupt end to two superstars who have gone abroad and done very well and have also represented us,” Lara said in a Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF) web site report. “They have been a joy to watch and I selfishly would love to see happen again but that is something they will have to decide on,” added Lara, who played for the Trinidad and Tobago National Under-12 football team. Lara, who holds both Test (375) and First-Class (501 not out) batting world records, believes spectators have been “cheated of a few years” of Yorke and Latapy playing for Trinidad and Tobago but said he respects their choice.

“These decisions are not ones all of us would like but we have to respect them. Of course I’d love to see them in national colours again and I know thousands of Trinidadians would love to see Dwight and Russell play for Trinidad and Tobago in whatever capacity again,” he added. Yorke made a huge impact after transferring from Aston Villa to United for a record 12.6 million pounds (US$19.6 million) in August 1998, helping United to the triple with 29 goals. He was named English Premier League Carling “Player of the Year” in the 1998-1999 season. The 31-year-old striker now plays for Blackburn Rovers after a two million pound (US$3.1 million) move from Manchester United where he had lost regular first team play. Latapy, now 35 years old, played successfully in Portugal where he won two championship titles with Porto. He then moved to Scotland where his brilliant midfield play lifted Hibernian from division one to the Premier League. Latapy transferred from Hibernian to Rangers and is now with Dundee United.

THIS season’s TT Pro League football tournament will begin on May 3 and 4.

The league was due to kick off on the weekend of April 12 and 13 but, with the national team involved in a playoffs for a spot in the 2003 CONCACAF Gold Cup in Martinique, from March 23-27, the season has been pushed back by a further three weeks. Ten teams will be participating in the season — reigning champs CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh, W Connection, Joe Public, Caledonia AIA, Arima Fire, Defence Force, Starworld Strikers, North East Stars and new additions Tobago United and South West Institute of Football (SWIF). The Under-15 and Under-17 matches will kick off on May 3 with the U-20 and senior divisions commencing on the following day.

NEW YORK: Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal struggled, but it didn’t matter in the end. Even though Los Angeles’ two stars didn’t reach double figures in points until the fourth quarter, the Lakers still defeated the Dallas Mavericks at home for the 25th straight time, 108-99 on Tuesday night.

Los Angeles broke the match open in the final quarter, denying Dallas their 58th victory. The Mavericks fell into a tie with the San Antonio Spurs for the league’s best record, after having been alone atop the NBA standings all season. Los Angeles defeated the Mavericks for the 80th time in 99 meetings between the teams. Los Angeles has won 44 of the last 49. Devean George scored 21, Robert Horry 17 and Derek Fisher and Rick Fox added 16 apiece as the Lakers had six players in double figures. O’Neal and Bryant each finished with 14 points. “Our two big guys didn’t have a great match and we still beat them by (nine). It’s going to take a lot more than whining and crying and underachieving big men to beat us,” O’Neal said, adding of Dallas’ centres: “They all stink.”

In other matches, it was Washington 100, Cleveland 91; Philadelphia 91, Detroit 74; Miami 89, Toronto 83; New York 99, Atlanta 95; Memphis 111, the Los Angeles Clippers 108, Chicago 115, Indiana 103; Portland 81, Houston 66; Phoenix 98, Denver 78; Sacramento 107, Seattle 85; and Golden State 128, Utah 102. Raef LaFrentz and Dirk Nowitzki had 26 points apiece for Dallas. At Cleveland, Michael Jordan, who tormented the Cavaliers perhaps more than any other team during his career, scored 26 points as Washington moved within one and a half matches of idle Milwaukee for the Eastern Conference’s final playoff spot. Zydrunas Ilgauskas had 23 points for Cleveland.

AUGUSTA: The phenomenal ability Tiger Woods has to block out distractions will be tested to the full at the US Masters, where talk about a first woman member is overshadowing his quest for a third consecutive green jacket.

The first three questions Woods fielded in his news conference on Tuesday were all related to the controversy around Augusta National’s all-male membership policy and activist Martha Burk’s plans to protest outside the club’s gates. Try as Woods might to keep the spotlight on the year’s first major and his bid for an historic third consecutive green jacket, the world number one was repeatedly grilled about his thoughts on the fight to have women admitted to golf’s most exclusive club.

Continually dragged into an unwanted discussion, Woods was evasive and appeared slightly uncomfortable when questioned about his place and responsibility in the debate that has polarised the golfing world. “You know, I’ve already answered that,” said Woods, when asked if he felt any obligation to speak out about social issues around the sport. “And I’ve answered that many times prior to this event and right now I’m just trying to get myself ready to play on Thursday. “Everyone here knows my opinion. “Should they become members or should they be members? Yes. But you know, I’m — I don’t really have a vote in how they run this golf course and this club.”

PGA Tour members in general and Woods in particular have come under criticism from Burk, head of National Council for Women’s Organisations who are planning a protest Saturday, for failing to lend their support to the cause. Burk believes the backing of some of golf’s top players would apply considerable pressure to the club and president Hootie Johnson to finally admit a woman member. “I’m disappointed in all the golfers, they have lent lukewarm support,” said Burk in a recent interview with Reuters. “I’m disappointed in all of them. “(Woods) has a unique opportunity and he has not taken advantage of that opportunity. “But I have said from the start this is all not Tiger, they all have a responsibility.”

During his interview, Woods was pressed on his commitment to bringing attention to social issues and bristled at the suggestion that he was less committed to helping initiate change than he was when he exploded onto the golf scene. Asked if he was as passionate about ending discrimination, as he was when he won his first Masters in 1997, Woods answered, “I am”. Told, it had not been very evident, Woods snapped: “Probably that’s just your opinion”.

Woods was not alone in his effort to skirt the controversy that is threatening to overshadow the 67th Masters. Nearly every golfer in the interview room on Tuesday distanced themselves from the debate saying that it was a matter for the Augusta membership and not the golfers. “It’s not really something any of the players want to get involved in,” said South African Retief Goosen, runner up to Woods last year.

Rain last Sunday affected the five Superleague matches in the BAS Penal Sports Association cricket series. As a result all matches ended in stalemates.

This left Sunrise Sports at the top of the standings with 32 points from three completed rounds. They won on first innings over San Francique United at Penal. Varma Boodoosingh grabbed seven wickets for 80 runs  to bundle out San Francique for 155. Andrew Yorke, with an unbeaten 102, then spurred on Sunrise to 202 for five and first innings points. In second place are Renegades with 28 points although they suffered a first innings loss to Rochard Road. Their first innings effort of 159 was not enough for Rochard Road who raced to 245 for eight.

Commonwealth, who had a bright start to the season, also won on first innings over Sunrees Road United. Kumar Sudama with an unbeaten 69 piloted Comm-onwealth to 183 for six and Sunrees then fell for just 147. UpTen Sports ended the round with 26 points — six short of the leaders after their first innings victory over Apollo Sports. Apollo just avoided defeat making 99 and 45 for four in response to 171 for six declared by UpTen. Andre Balgar scored 107 not out for UpTen.

BAS SCORES (ROUND THREE)
Commonwealth 183/6 dec (Kumar Sudama 69 no, Lawrence Sookram 37, Teemul Ramdial 2/39) drew with Sunrees Road Utd 147 (V Jagdeo 72, Phillip Seepersad 4/35, Harripersad Bridgelal 5/34).
Renegades 159 (M Arjoon 41, V Mungroo 22) drew with Rochard Road 245/8 (L Moonesar 58, T Clifton 50, R Balley 45, R Boodlal 3/56).
San Francique 155 (K Deosaran 57, R Gobin 22, Varma Boodoosingh 7/80, Dennis Ramlal 3/30) drew with Sunrise Sports 202/5 dec (Andrew Yorke 102 no, Deniss Ramlal 30 no).
Apollo Sports 99 & 45/4(R Seeth 32, A Leotaud 3/14, R Leotaud 3/29) drew with Up Ten Sports 171/6 dec (Andre Balgar 107 n.o., A Valdez 30, A Ram 3/60).
Mendez 144 (A Sylvester 37 no, W Hansraj 22, Navin Ragoo 4/34) drew with Merryboys 87 (Sheldon Siewsankar 8/31).

The Arima Race Club grappled with entries yesterday to fill races on their Day 11 card for Saturday. Due to the short supply of names the ARC were forced to cancel three of the events on the intended 11-race programme. Following are the framed races, entries and weights for the eight races to have been given clearance.

RACE 1: OPTIONAL CLAIMING ($14,000 – $11,000) 3 Y.O & OVER  – PURSE $16,000 – 1750 METRES.
1. ACTUAL LADY – 49.5 – N.ABREGO, 2. SCANDAL SHEET – 52.5 – V.CHARLES, 3. BALTHAZAR – 55.5 – R.JADOO, 4. EL BORRACHO – 51.5 – R.FREEMAN, 5. KENT’S DELIGHT – 49.5 – B.EVANS, 6. PREFFERED SHARE – 53.5 – R.RAJKUMAR, 7. EL GUERROUJ – 51.5 – W.GALVIZ, 8. INDIAN RHAPSODY – 44.5 – G.LABAN, 9. FEMALE BANDIT – 49.5 – L.SEECHARAN, 10. TRINI GOLD – 42.5 – R.DWARIKA.

RACE 2: OPTIONAL CLAIMING (7,500 – $6,500) 3 Y.O & OVER – PURSE $14,000 – 1350 METRES.
1. LIVING IN HOPE – 51.5 – R.PERSAD, 2. STORMING WIND – 51.5 – N.SAMAROO, 3. KING DAVID – 55.5 – S.RODRIGO, 4. IF ONLY – 48.5 – R.RAGOONATH, 5. JOINT VENTURE – 51.5 – K.BISSOON, 6. MAXIMUS – 48.5 – D.GAFF, 7. GROOMSMAN – 52.5 – R.MANGALEE.

RACE 3: OPTIONAL CLAIMING ($10,500 – $8,500) 3 Y.O & OVER – PUIRSE $15,000 – 1100 METRES.
1. HILLSIDE SYMPHONY – 53.5 – R.JADOO, 2. ULA – 51.5 – R.RAJKUMAR, 3. TOUCH WOOD – 52.5 – S.RODRIGO, 4. TAKE CHARGE – 50.5 – N.MANGALEE, 5. LAZAR WOLF – 52.5 – R.SINGH, 6. YANKEE – 49.5 – G.LABAN, 7. LANTERN LADY – 49.5 – F.RAZACK.

RACE 4: (OPTIONAL CLAIMING ($6,000 – $5,000) 3 Y.O & OVER – PURSE $11,000 – 1100 METRES.
1. CLASSIC STAR – 51.5 – R.PERSAD, 2. HAZEY HILL – 50.5 – N.ABREGO, 3. ROYAL CHARM – 53.5 – R.MANGALEE, 4. UNCLE JOE – 48.5 – W.GALVIZ, 5. JULIA – 48.5 – R.SINGH, 6. JATTAHYU – 55.5 – S.RODRIGO, 7. CONFIRMED – 55.5 – H.EMAMALIE.

RACE 5: HANDICAP 1 AND LOWER – W.I BRED 3 Y.O & OVER WINNERS AND IMPORTED 3 Y.O & OVER – PURSE $29,000 – 1300 METRES.
1. LITTLE MANIRAM – 50.- L.MUNOZ, 2. SWEET LAURA LEE – 44.5 – F.RAZACK, 3. INDIAN DECISION – 45 – B.EVANS, 4. PUNTO A PUNTO – 54 – R.JADOO, 5. MAN OF CLASS – 55.5 – R.RAJKUMAR, 6. UPSET ALL – 45 – G.LABAN, 7. SMOOTH OPERATOR – 56.5 – R.PERSAD, 8. MANDELA – 52 – N.SAMAROO.

RACE 6: W.I BRED 3 Y.O MAIDENS – PURSE $20,000 – 1350 METRES.
1. FREE ZONE – 54.5 – N.SAMAROO, 2. HYARIMA – 52.5 – N.MANGALEE, 3. CREME CARAMEL – 44.5 – W.BHARATH, 4. SILK RUNNER – 56.5 – R.CHADEE, 5. TEA TIME DOC – 52.5 – D.GAFF, 6. BOUND TO DOT COM – 56.5 – N.ABREGO, 7. PRINCIPLE – 44.5 – K.JADOO, 8. FRESH MANDATE – 56.5 – H.EMAMALIE, 9. IRON WILL – 56.5 – V.CHARLES, 10. CLASSY KIM – 52.5 – R.JADOO, 11. DARE TO DREAM – 55.5 – J.ARNEAUD, 12. MILFORD – 46.5 – G.LABAN.

RACE 9: OPTIONAL CLAIMING ($20,000 0- $16,000) 3 Y.O & OVER – PURSE $17.000 – 1200 METRES.
1. BON VOYAGE – 52.5 – R.RAJKUMAR, 2. ISLE BE THERE – 56.5 – W.GALVIZ, 3. RUBY RICH – 52.5 – R.JADOO, 4. SPECIAL GEM – 52.5 – G.LABAN, 5. NEW STAR – 53.5 – S.RODRIGO, 6. OUTBURST – 44.5 – R.RAGOONATH, 7. FOUCAULT PENDULUM – 55.5 – R.BADAL, 8. NOT TO WORRIE – 46.5 – N.MANGALEE, 9. RESTLESS RENEGADE – 48.5 – B.EVANS.

RACE 11: W.I BRED 4 Y.O & OVER MAIDENS – PURSE $11,000 – 1200 METRES.
1. ONCE IN A LIFETIME – 54.5 – R.BADAL, 2. TRIBAL PLACE – 54.5 – N.ABREGO, 3. STREET WISE – 48.5 – R.PERSAD, 4. FIRST LOVE – 51.5 – R.JADOO, 5. BRANDY – 51.5 – R.RAJKUMAR, 6. REJOICE – 48.5 – F.RAZACK, 7. SHEZABUTE – 54.5 – H.EMAMALIE.