Royalians cage Tigers, lead North

RADANTAH ABU BAKR, son of Jamaat-al-Muslimeen leader Imam Yasin Abu Bakr, scored the decisive goal as QRC edged champs St Anthony’s 1-0 to storm to the top of the North Zone standings in  the British Gas Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL). Hundreds of Royalian supporters stormed the field at the end of yesterday’s  match at QRC Grounds, St Clair,  to congratulate their heroes who won their sixth consecutive game of the 2003 season. The crucial moment came in the 61st minute when Abu Bakr headed a right-side corner by Kyle McIvor past Tigers’ goalkeeper Keegan Davidson. St Anthony’s put up a valiant attempt in the final half-hour of play but the equalising goal eluded them.

Malick jumped to third spot following a narrow 3-2 win away to Diego Martin at Diamond Vale, with Mervyn Moore netting a double and Rolston Paul one. Fatima’s inconsistent run continued when they were beaten 2-0 by neighbours Mucurapo at Fatima Grounds, while Morvant/Laventille and St Mary’s played to a drab 0-0 draw at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo. Naparima remained atop the South Zone with a 1-0 win over champs Princes Town at the Princes Town Ground, with Kezi Lara scoring the winner. Princes Town’s defeat meant that St Benedict’s climbed back to second place following a 2-1 triumph over Vessigny at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella, with strikes from Ryan Forbes and Randolph Walters, while Marlon Saunders got the lone goal for Vessigny. Pleasantville’s unbeaten run came to an end yesterday, as they were beaten 1-0 by Mayaro at the Mayaro Recreation Ground, while Fyzabad edged the hapless Presentation by a similar 1-0 scoreline at the Presentation Grounds.

East Zone powerhouse Arima continued their winning ways with a comfortable 4-0 win over cellar-placed San Juan at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar. Arima got goals from Gorean Highley in the 52nd minute, Devon King 62nd, Dorian Daniel 80th and Julio Scott 89th. Jabari Lander, Yannick Pilgrim and Kempess Villafana were on target as St George’s breezed past Toco 3-1 at St George’s Grounds, while Barataria edged Hillview 1-0 at the Marvin Lee Stadium, Tunapuna and St Augustine shut out El Dorado 3-0 at El Dorado Ground. In Central Zone action,  Dern Dyer scored a double for Tabaquite to edge Chaguanas 2-1 at Tabaquite Ground, while defending champs Presentation shut out  Union Claxton Bay 2-0 at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva.