Novice left-arm spinner Khary Pierre, playing in only his second Super50 match, proved the hero for Red Force as he snatched a four wicket haul to engineer the collapse of the Hurricanes in their pursuit of 227 for victory at Coolidge Cricket Ground.

The hosts were in cruise control at 115 without loss in the 27th over behind half-centuries from Montcin Hodge, who made a career-best 82 and captain Kieran Powell, who stroked 52.

But with the game running away from Red Force, Pierre drew down Powell and had him stumped, and then accounted for Nkrumah Bonner (5) and Test player Marlon Samuels (9) cheaply.

Even then, Hurricanes still held the upper hand at 162 for three in the 38th over but veteran seamer Rayad Emrit struck key blows to finish with three for 49, as the last seven wickets tumbled for 53 runs to leave Hurricanes 215 all out with eight balls remaining.

Fast bowler Shannon Gabriel, ineffective up front, returned to finish with two for 32.

Red Force had earlier disappointed after being sent in, mustering only 226 for nine off their 50 overs.

Another rookie Nicholas Alexis bailed them out with an even fifty while the dependable all-rounder Imran Khan provided the late flourish with an unbeaten 45.

Opener Kjorn Ottley struck 34 and Jason Mohammed weighed in with 32.

Left-arm spinner Jason Campbell was outstanding in taking a career-best five for 37 from 10 overs while Test pacer Alzarri Joseph proved expensive in picking up two for 65.

Red Force started shakily when they lost Kyle Hope cheaply for two in the seventh over, brilliantly caught in front of first slip by wicketkeeper Jahmar Hamilton off Joseph with the score on eight.

However, Alexis then helped repair the innings in two successive half-century stands, adding 62 for the second wicket with Ottley and 56 for the third with Mohammed.

The right-handed Alexis faced 83 deliveries and struck four fours and a six.

Nkrumah Bonner prised out Mohammed to a catch at the wicket, triggering a slide which saw four wickets fall for 25 runs, to leave Red Force struggling on 151 for six in the 39th over.

Imran Khan then arrived to lash three fours and a six in a breezy 45-ball effort, posting 42 for the seventh wicket with Emrit (21), to help energise the innings late on.

In reply, Hodge and Powell appeared to take the game away from Red Force when they dominated the first half of the innings with their century stand.

The right-handed Hodge faced 126 balls and struck seven fours and two sixes as he eased to his second successive half-century while the left-handed Powell carved out five fours and a six in a 70-ball innings, to extend his rich vein of form.

With the innings, Powell passed the 300-run mark and now has 323 runs from four outings.

However, it was his dismissal which gave Red Force the precious breakthrough they needed, when he charged Pierre, missed his swing and was stumped.

Bonner then needlessly holed out to long off in the 31st over at 131 for two and 21 balls later, Samuels also perished in the deep to a big shot off Pierre.

Hurricanes remained unshaken with Hodge still at the wicket but once he nicked Emrit’s outswinger behind to Denesh Ramdin, the innings quickly unraveled.

SCOREBOARD
Red Force vs Leewards Hurricanes
Red Force Innings
K Hope c Hamilton b Joseph…………………2
K Ottley run out…………………………………34
N Alexis c Hamilton b Campbell…………..50
J Mohammed c Hamilton b Bonner………32
D Ramdin c and b Campbell…………………0
I Khan not out……………………………………45
R Primus c Bonner b Campbell……………..5
R Emrit c Hamilton b Joseph……………….21
K Pierre c Tonge b Campbell……………….12
R Rampaul st Hamilton b Campbell……….5
S Gabriel not out…………………………………1
EXTRAS: (LB4, W7, NB8)…………………..19
TOTAL: (9 wkts, 50 overs)…………………226
Fall of wickets: 8; 70; 126; 127; 136; 151;
193; 212; 218.
BOWLING: Tonge 5-2-13-0 (W2), Joseph
10-1-65-2 (W2, NB8), Hosein 10-0-33-0,
Cornwall 10-0-45-0 (W1), Campbell 10-0-
37-5 (W2), Bonner 5-0-29-1.
Leewards Hurricanes Inns
M Hodge c Ramdin b Emrit…………………82
K Powell st Ramdin b Pierre……………….52
N Bonner c Emrit b Pierre…………………….5
M Samuels c Emrit b Pierre…………………..9
J Hamilton c and b Pierre……………………..6
R Cornwall c Ramdin b Emrit………………15
O Peters lbw b Emrit……………………………2
A Hosein c Mohammed b Gabriel………….2
G Tonge run out…………………………………14
A Joseph not out………………………………….9
J Campbell b Gabriel……………………………3
EXTRAS: (LB6, W9, NB1)…………………..16
TOTAL: (all out, 48.4 overs)………………215
Fall of wickets: 115; 131; 149; 162; 162;
165; 182; 185; 206; 215.
BOWLING: Gabriel 8.4-1-32-2 (W1, NB1),
Rampaul 5-2-20-0, Imran Khan 10-2-45-0,
Mohammed 7-1-23-0, Emrit 9-1-49-3 (W7),
Pierre 9-0-40-4 (W1),
Result: Red Force won by 11 runs.
Points: Red Force 4, Hurricanes 0.
Man-of-the-Match: Khary Pierre.

Chasing 227, the Hurricanes were well poised for victory at 115 without loss.

However, led by Pierre who grabbed four for 40 in nine overs, the Red Force dismissed the Hurricanes for 215 in 48.4 overs.

Also among the wickets were pacers Shannon Gabriel (2/32) and Rayad Emrit (3/49), while Pierre ran out Gavin Tonge.

After the win, Ramdin said, “It was a great comeback from the bowlers. We stuck to our game plan, they had a great start, (but) getting the run rate up to five runs per over was good (for us).

Young Khary Pierre, he bowled exceptionally well, well done to him and hopefully we could continue this going forward in the tournament. I think our batters need to step up and put some more runs on the board.” Ramdin is hopeful Pierre can continue improving as a player.

“He is a very talented young guy, no one knows about him, so it’s very important he grows from strength to strength and you (are) going to see a lot of him in this tournament.” After the Red Force posted 226/9, Ramdin thought they were short of their target but they stuck to the game plan. “I told the guys we were probably 25 runs short on that pitch, but we needed wickets with the new ball. We did not get that, but we stuck with our plans.

We tried to put pressure on them and they gave it away.” The Red Force captain said some key wickets opened the door for the TT comeback.

“The two wickets of Marlon (Samuels) and the captain (Kieran Powell), and then (Montcin) Hodge who was set, and then the new guys came in, we had them where we wanted them.” Next up for the Red Force is a game against the Windward Islands Volcanoes on Monday.

Thursday’s victory saw the Red Force move to second in Group A on 13 points with three wins and one defeat. The Leewards lead the standings on 14 points with the same record. The Windwards are second from last with just one win and three losses.

Both Supernovas and Exodus gave performance like they intend to take the National Panorama Festival title back to the east.

Supernovas played the Amrit Samaroo arrangement of his and Mark Loquan’s composition of “Rumble in the Jungle” and for seven minutes and 20 seconds the massive audience was held in suspense as the band’s welltuned pans rang out a presentation packed with sweet music at the Surrey Village, Lopinot Road, Arouca panyard.

In St Augustine, Republic Bank Exodus broke with tradition and brought in arranger BJ Marcelle to assist their arranger Pelham Goddard. Without a doubt Marcelle brought an energy to Exodus that could well see them in winners’ row. Theirs was one of the most energetic performances seen in the Large Band category.

The players delivered “Good Morning” sung by Barbadian soca artiste Peter Ram, and written by Trinidadian Jovan James, with precision and delight. Hundreds of supporters thronged Exodus’ panyard with the crowd spilling on to the Eastern Main Road.

Accomplished pannist Mia Gormandy is the only female arranger in this category for 2017 and she chose birdsong to create history. Her bravery is outstanding as she is now in the ring with the likes of Robbie Greenidge, Carlton “Zanda” Alexander, Len “Boogsie” Sharpe, Leon “Smooth” Edwards, Arddin Herbert, Duvone Stewart, Ken “Professor” Philmore and Professor Liam Teague.

Birdsong played a Mark Loquan composition, “Pan Kingdom” and received a very warm reception from its supporters including the Minister of Community Development, Culture and the Arts, Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly.

It was the band’s first Panorama performance at its new home at 14 St Vincent Street, Tunapuna, since being evicted last year.

The Ultimate Rejects and MX Prime contributed greatly to the fun factor at this event, as they invoked near hysteria from the audience during their appearance onstage at prime time.

Just after 10 pm, the four-member crew injected some vibrant energy into the venue with a full performance of the extensive and renowned catalogue from lead singer/ songwriter and performer, Edghill “MX Prime” Thomas. Formerly known as “Maximus Dan”, Prime reminded the gathering that he always delivered dynamic, uplifting soca anthems throughout his career.

Singing, jumping and waving along to anthems such as “Soca Train”, “Royal”, “Fighter” and others, the fun-loving audience showed its appreciation for these now classic songs, even as the anticipation for his current hit single, “Full Extreme”, grew to fever pitch. This crew then elicited the ultimate displays of audience participation as all hands were directed upwards and a carefree celebration began in earnest.

Almost certainly the highlight of the night and rapidly becoming the signature soundtrack of the 2017 season, “Full Extreme” managed to simultaneously inject more, as well as deplete the remaining energy of the crowd.

Also performing were Singerboi Sergio, 5Star Akil, Terri Lyons, Kernal Roberts, Teddyson John and Rupee. Kes The Band kicked off the live action after the sun set and Neil Iwer George kept the party bubbling nicely with DJ Alicia The Duchess keeping the vibes flowing in between performers.

The expert musicianship of the Roy Cape All Stars was then left to close off the event – with the vocals of Ricardo Drue, Blaxx and Tizzy delivering covers of the top songs of the season, as well as their own individual past and present hit selections. Like most all-inclusive events this season, the lavish displays and arrays of food and drinks were severely diminished due to the stringent economic times, but there were still more than enough amenities available to satisfy the needs and desires of the patrons. From Creole, Chinese and authentic Indian meals, to all manner of delectable cutters, samples and treats, premium beverages, cocktails and even ice cream, the organising team made sure to provide for almost every imaginable craving. Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley and his family were in attendance as per usual and most patrons shared extremely positive opinions of the fund-raising event.

“Did not Jamaica identify itself with rggae?” he asked. “Is this not destination promotion? A solution to our despair, disappointment, anxiety, and loss of hope, perhaps lie in the harnessing of our people’s intelligences.

This means harnessing the exceptionalism of our music to impact on the development of tourism and the travel industry.

So why not host a kaiso/soca music festival, instead of a jazz festival.” Chin Lee’s remarks were delivered during an address at the launch of the hotel’s 24th edition of its “Under The Trees” Carnival programme with at its Ciao Restaurant on February 1.

The 2017 programme opens on February 14 (Valentine’s Day) at 8.30 pm when patrons are invited to “Soca Under The Trees” with Ronnie McIntosh and D’ Experience Band, featuring calypsonians Anslem Douglas and Impulse (Wayne Modeste).

Making a special guest appearance will be balladeer/calypsonian Kenny J (Kenrick Joseph).

Elaborating on his suggestion, Chin Lee told the gathering of calypsonians, chutney artistes, musicians, promoters, and members of the entertainment fraternity they should not depend on government to initiate the festival, but use the “exceptional intelligences” to be found among them to create and manage the undertaking.

“Think of the ‘Under The Trees’ programme not as a Carnival programme, but a musical programme, and let us work together to extend it into becoming the country’s Kaiso/Soca Music Festival,” he suggested.

He proposed that a six-man team, comprising a strategist, expert communicator, political writer, financial expert, prominent calypsonian, and a prominent Carnival bandleader, be convened to look into the possibility of creating the event.

Under The Trees schedule: February 14 – Soca Under The Trees Ronnie McIntosh and D’ Experience Band, Anslem Douglas and Impulse February 15 – Chutney Soca Under The Trees, Ravi B and Friends.

February 17 – Superior and Relator, with guest performers Bro Mudada (Alan Fortune), and Twiggy (Annmarie Parks-Cudjoe).

February 22 – Rudder and guest artistes.

February 23 – Sparrow and Lord Nelson with guests Aaron Duncan, Chef Jason Peru and Gypsy.

February 24 – Remembering Kings and Queens, featuring Shadow, Superior, Sparrow, Rudder, SuperBlue and Gypsy.

February 26 – Big Cups Party Under The Trees with music by DJ and guest appearances.

All shows begin at 8.30 pm.

.It was like d?j? vu last week Thursday when this time he was introducing his competition which is being co-hosted with Radio Hott 93.5 from February 1 to Valentine’s Day on February 14 called Click, Post and Win!!! As I looked around the gingerbread house where he and his staff create the most magical arrangements at Flowers & Decor, 16 Salazar Street, St James, I realised that the 33-year-old entrepreneur’s expression “Flowers …it’s my passion” remains at the top of his talking points.

I saw expansion since last visiting, innovations, a large variety of colourful novelty items, teddies, baskets waiting to be filled with optional items like fruit, crackers and/or chocolates, tea mugs, bright-coloured ceramic vases — all still at reasonable prices.

Why Click, Post and Win? Because pictures play an important role in our lives: “All couples are invited to participate, each couple needs to upload their most romantic or cutest picture via Flowers and Decor on Sean’s Facebook page.

The couple with the most likes wins a free photo shoot plus flowers and chocolates compliments Flowers & Decor.” Says Mohammed: “They will have to encourage family and friends to go on to the page and like the picture…Could be a picture from their past or recent times.

The winners will be announced on February 21 by co-sponsors Radio Hott 93.5.” Trinbagonians are now reportedly among approximately 150 million people worldwide who exchange Valentine Day cards annually, making this day the second highest card-sending event after Christmas.

In recent times, the celebration of St Valentine’s Day has become very popular among lovers in this country who annually exchange candy, flowers and gifts.

Mohammed is ready, geared and waiting to personally ensure that all lovers enjoy the day with minimum trouble.

Seecharan was responding to questions before a Joint Select Committee of Parliament appointed to inquire into and report to Parliament on human rights, equality and Diversity. In response to another question from the MP he said there were 117 teachers before the Teaching Service Commission and 19 of the cases relate to sexual abuse.

Chairman of the committee, Nyan Gadsby-Dolly asked why there was a shortage of guidance counsellors at schools, since there were so many people studying social sciences and social work at tertiary institutions.

Seecharan responded that the Ministry of Education dealt with 10,000 teachers and there were more than 500 people on contract in the Student Support Services Division which manages them, and this presented a challenge to the ministry’s Human Resources Department to manage the recruitment issues. He said there were vacant positions which took a long time to fill.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education Lenor Baptiste- Simmons said what is happening in the schools is a reflection of what is happening in homes and communities.

Lewis, 28, of Fairview Drive, D’Abadie appeared before Senior Magistrate Gillian David- Scotland in the First Court charged with causing the death of Carla Collins, Armani Collins, two, and Kamani Collins, eight months.

He was also charged with one count of unlawful use of the Priority Bus Route (PBR) and one count of breach of a traffic light.

Mother and sons were buried on Wednesday following a funeral service.

The accident occurred two Thursdays ago at the intersection of the PBR and Mausica Main Road.

On being granted $350,000 bail with a surety, Lewis was ordered to surrender his TT Passport and Driver’s Permit.

Magistrate David- Scotland also told Lewis he could not hold a driver’s permit for the duration of the case.

Prosecutor Sgt Joseph Jugmohan said blood samples were taken from Lewis immediately after the accident and investigators are presently awaiting results.

Sgt Jugmohan said depending on the results, Lewis could also face a charge of driving under the influence.

During a police tracing, it was discovered that Lewis had a previous conviction for drunk driving in 2015.

During proceedings yesterday, Lewis sported a bandage over his left eye as he sat quietly with his head bowed. Lewis was remanded into custody until his bail was secured. He was ordered to return to court on March 2.

“He was a lover of the mystical and fantastic,” said Rudolph Bissessarsingh who is the illustrator of all of his son’s books. “He was diagnosed with cancer on February 2, 2015. He said to me that he wanted to die on this date, because it is Friends Day and he saw himself as a friend to humanity.

My son used to say, ‘’everything in this universe is a river and I shall return to the river of consciousness when my time comes’,” Bissessarsingh said.

Looking at the hodge podge of books and artefacts at their Brooks Gardens, Quarry Village, Siparia home, Bissessarsingh expressed anger at medical doctors who for years did not detect his son’s pancreatic cancer. “He started to put on a lot of weight and spent hundreds of thousands doing tests to determine what was wrong with him for four years.

“They couldn’t find anything.

But then the same doctor who was sending him for three and four years of testing, took $43, 000 to put a fibre optic cable and said, ‘well, you are now dying from cancer.’ I will mince no words concerning that…I cannot reconcile the fact that if he was diagnosed at stage one, my son could have been here with me today,” Bissessarsingh said.

Angelo did not study history formally. He studied Agribusiness at the University of the West Indies and went on to work in the Ministry of Local Government and later in the Siparia Disaster Management Unit (SDMU). Rudolph said his son was in and out of consciousness for the past few months as a result of the morphine given to him for the pain.

The last time he spoke to him was two weeks ago.

“He said to me, ‘When I go, I only want two things. I want Winston ‘Gypsy’ Peters to put my extempo song on radio and I want you (Rudolph) to finish the Tales of the Cocoa series.’ With all that was happening, I kept putting it off for a while. But now that he is gone, I have to say, ‘Alright, Angelo. I will finish it.” Bissessarsingh will be laid to rest on Sunday at 3 pm at Belgroves funeral home in San Fernando.

Tributes poured in yesterday.

President Anthony Carmona said, “I am devastated by the loss of a remarkable human being who was trying to save us from ourselves,” said Carmona. “We owe him a priceless debt of gratitude for championing the greatness of our culture, history and heritage and the goodness that lies within us all.” Minister of Public Administration and Communications Maxie Cuffie expressed condolences on behalf of Government. “He did valuable work as a historian, documenting the history of Trinidad and Tobago. I have a copy of his last book on my desk,” he told Newsday.

“The Government appreciates the contribution that he has made to the preservation of our history and our heritage. My condolences go out to his family and friends and the national community, amongst whom he had a large following.” Opposition Leader Kamla Persad- Bissessar, said, “It is with deep sorrow that I learned of the passing of beloved author, historian and archivist Angelo Bissessarsingh who fought a valiant, but losing battle, with pancreatic cancer.” Sharing the hope of his father, that Angelo’s “consciousness will live on” and that he will “never die”, she said Angelo’s immortality is assured his work in creating the Virtual Museum of Trinidad and Tobago, his many books about us as a people and his writings in the press

Al-Rawi indicated that this country’s taxpayers, “are being called upon, have been called upon and very shortly be subject to further calls to pay millions of dollars in damages for false imprisonment and malicious prosecution,” arising out of the State of Emergency (SoE) imposed by Persad-Bissessar’s former administration on August 21, 2011.

Addressing the post-Cabinet news conference at the Diplomatic Centre in St Ann’s, Dillon stated, “I think that does not really fit with our reality at all in TT.” He added, “In addition, there’s a whole body of evidence out there that suggests that arming citizens is not the answer to solve crime.” Explaining that unlike the United States, the United Kingdom does not have the right to bear arms as part of its laws, Dillon said a comparison of crime rates between both countries showed that crime in the UK, “is less than in the US.” Al-Rawi interjected, “How come in five years it was not done under her tenure?” After saying the Government firmly condemned the murder of Nadia Simms and extending condolences to her family, Dillon said the number of murders last month was the highest for that period compared to previous years. Giving the assurance that law enforcement agencies will be undertaking a “more intense offensive,” going forward. Dillon said part of that offensive involves the launch of a revamped National Operations Centre (NOC) which will give the security forces, a “better situation awareness of what happens in TT.” He promised there would be more focused activities by the Police Service and TT Defence Force to disrupt illegal gun and drug activities at all levels.

Dillon urged the public to assist the police in reporting any instances of domestic violence as such incidents are difficult to predict. He also identified the enhancement of the operational arm of the Strategic Services Agency (SSA), activation of video conferencing facilities at the Remand Yard in three months and the assessment of proposal for electronic monitoring devices from the US, British and Canadian governments as some of the other anti-crime initiatives being implemented.

Al-Rawi disclosed that he is looking at the legalising of pepper spray but indicated the challenge arises where it is used by a criminal. After recalling the 2011 SoE did not reduce murders in the country, Al-Rawi said there was a link between last month’s murder of Kerlan “Miceman” George and the Opposition’s refusal to extend the provisions of the Bail Amendment Act last year.

Reminding reporters that the People’s National Movement (PNM) supported this legislation every time it came up for review under the Persad-Bissessar regime, Al-Rawi explained that its objective was “to give law enforcement a fighting chance” to curb crime in TT. “To this day, they cannot explain their position for not supporting it,” he observed.