RAIN curtailed  the start of the Chips Inter-Club “Berry” Netball League at the Laventille Complex, Success Village. Only one of two matches on Sunday last was completed, with Juneberry, led by Deseire Frederick, whipping Dewberry, the team of Melissa Saldenha 23-14. Goal-shoot Rhonessa Williams scored 19 goals, Sharon Boyce-Noel hit 11 and Frederick, three, for the winners. Denyse Gibbs and Chrisandra Murrell scored seven each for Dewberry. The other fixture between Blueberry and Strawberry was forced to be blown off near the end of the third 10-minute quarter stage because of a sudden downpour. Sunday’s fixtures: Cranberry vs Strawberry; Juneberry vs Blueberry, 4.30 pm.

In an effort to renew friendships the Trintoc Football Team have planned their second reunion on Sarturday at the Clifton Hill Grounds, Point Fortin from 11 am. The day will feature the Trintoc elite lacing their boots up once again to display their old skills on the playing field. The good and not so good in cards can try to stamp their dominance in all fours. The purpose, according to George John on behalf of the Organising Committee is to reminisce of the playing days, tours and to enjoy a day of fun and excitement among the Trintoc “clan”.

LONDON: Caribbean international players Darren Byfield and Tony Rougier scored important goals for their teams in British football on Tuesday night. In form Jamaican Byfield had a goal and an assist as Rotherham knocked off Stoke 3-0 in the First Division, while Rougier, of Trinidad and Tobago, struck a fortuitous goal for Brentford in a 1-1 draw against Colchester in Division One. Byfield sent Rotherham ahead — from the penalty spot — just before half time at the Millmoor Ground before Martin Butler’s double sealed the emphatic win. Stoke defender Paul Williams fouled Butler in the box and Byfield followed up his weekend penalty against Gillingham to put Rotherham in front with his fourth goal of the season.

Butler sent Rotherham further ahead when he struck in a rebound in the 50th minute, and sealed the match in the 90th minute, converting a cross from Byfield. At the Layer Road Ground, Brentford took the lead on a fluke goal in the 36th minute when Colchester’s Karl Duguid went to clear the ball just outside his own area. But the ball ricocheted off the foot of former Trinidad and Tobago captain Rougier, and rolled into the net. Colchester earned a share of the points when Rowan Vine struck with a 25-yard drive.

Goals from Anthony Applewhite and John Belgrave inspired Deliverance to a 2-0 beating of Nelson Street Youths. And Shavonne Brasco’s goal was the edge that Bosses Youths needed to eke out a 1-0 victory against Destiny Crusaders. This action was in the 2003 Milo Sunday School Football League on Republic Day. The Irie Youths outfit were convincing winners on the day, spanking Bad Boys 3-0, the pair of Akeem Roberts (2) and Akeem Alexander applying the pressure. Young Stars blinded Credo 4-0 with goals from Kevin Holder, Kemo Sherry, Akiel Frederick and Keno Alexander. In another match SEPAO nipped Terrace Youths 1-0 as Sheon “Boots” Phillip came up with the goods for his team once again.

Stud Farm Association National Stakes runner-up Carnival Messiah is set to make his 11th appearance this season on the Arima Race Club Day 30 card at Santa Rosa Park, Arima on Saturday. The 2001 triple crown winner who was just touched off by Phantom Bidder in the 1800 metres on September 13 goes after compensation in the small but competitive Allowance feature on ARC’s 9-race programme. The Wilma Primus-owned five-year-old, the first local bred animal to sweep the series of three-year-old classics since racing was centralised at Arima in 1994 will face off against four rivals over 1750 metres.

Opposing the Glenn Mendez inmate for the best part of the $26,000 purse in the staying event are last years Royal Oak Derby winner Millenium Reign, 2002 Independence Cup victor Golden Shufleur, Sagicor Endowment Restricted Handicap winner Ring Dang Do and stablemate Champagne Wager.
Sir Vidia will be the first Royal Oak Derby runner to make an appearance. The Shaffique Khan trained filly which finished at the tail end of the 2000 metres classic makes a switch to the Turf in an Optional Claiming $20,000 contest. Set to hold punters interest on the card attracting 78 runners is the Restricted Handicap. The 1200 metres sprint designed to pull down the curtains on Saturday programme, besides having an abundance of speed, also has a score-settling affair between Naturelly Classy and Beautiful Mind. In their last match-up over an identical trip on Derby day, Beautiful Mind won from Naturelly Classy, but was relegated to second after an inquiry was held by the stewards, into the running of the race. The decision against the judgement has since been appealed by jockey Jody Arneaud and trainer Glenn Mendez.

Following are the framed races, entries, weights and jockeys for the entire card.

RACE 1: (12.45pm) W I BRED 2 Y.O MAIDENS – PURSE $22,000 – 1100 METRES.
1. SAHEER MAGIC – 55 – L.KEIZER, 2 ROCKET BOOSTER – 53 – R.THOMAS, 3. INTHELINEOFIRE – 55 – N.MANGALEE, 4. NOBLEMAN – 55 – R. JADOO, 5. ZALYAN – 53 – B.HARDING, 6. ATLANTIC BREEZE – 53 – N.ABREGO, 7. 2SHARP – 55 – R.RAMIREZ.

RACE 2: (1.20pm) W I BRED 3 Y.O & OVER MAIDEN CLAIMING ($14,000) – PURSE $15,000 – 1100 METRES (TURF).
1. SHEZABUTE – 53.5 – H.EMAMALIE, 2. PRINCIPLE – 53.5 – B.HARDING, 3. MARY MAGDALENE – 53.5 – N.MANGALEE, 4. TOUR D’ARGENT – 50.5 – C.MARQUEZ, 5. COPY CAT – 55.5 – R.RAJKUMAR, 6. EL PRESIDENTE – 55.5 – R.FREEMAN, 7. CAT WOMAN – 50.5 – L.KEIZER, 8. ROYAL MADRID – 51.5 – G.LABAN.

RACE 3: (1.50pm) ALLOWANCE – W I BRED 3 Y.O & OVER WINNERS AND IMPORTED 3 Y.O – PURSE $26,000 – 1750 METRES.
1. CHAMPAGNE WAGER – 50.5 – C.MARQUEZ, 2. CARNIVAL MESSIAH – 51.5 – H.EMAMALIE, 3. GOLDEN SHUFLEUR – 56.5 – L.MUNOZ, 4. RING DANG DO – 45.5 – W.BHARATH, 5. MILLENIUM REIGN – 50.5 – W.GALVIZ.

RACE 4: (2.25pm) W I BRED 3 Y.O MAIDENS – PURSE $22,000 – 1350 METRES.
1. DARE TO DREAM – 55.5 – S.RODRIGO, 2. SPEEDFUHSO – 54.5 – R.MANGALEE, 3. WINNING TRICK – 44.5 – R.RAJKUMAR, 4. CHEERLEADER – 53.5 – R.SINGH, 5. CREME CARAMEL – 52.5 – R.JADOO, 6. NEVER EVER WORRIE – 54.5 – N.MANGALEE, 7. SEDUCTIVE – 44.5 – H.EMAMALIE, 8. YAA ASANTEWAA – 51.5 – B.HARDING.

RACE 5: (3.00pm) OPTIONAL CLAIMING ($10,500 – $8,500) – W I BRED 3 Y.O & OVER – PURSE $18,000 – 1200 METRES.
1. NEW STAR – 55.5 – N.MANGALEE, 2. MAGEN – 51.5 – L.MUNOZ, 3. ULA – 49.5 – L.KEIZER, 4. RICHIE RICH – 51.5 – W.GALVIZ, 5. FEMALE BANDIT – 49.5 – S. RODRIGO, 6. BONUS POINT – 51.5 – C.MARQUEZ,  7. LIVING IN HOPE – 53.5 – B.HARDING, 8. FRUITION – 50.5 – G.LABAN, 9. NOT TO WORRIE – 53.5 – R.RAMIREZ.

RACE 6: (3.35pm) OPTIONAL CLAIMING ($20,000 – $16,000) 3 Y.O & OVER – PURSE $20,000 – 1600 METRES (TURF).
1. KASER’S GOLD – 52.5 – R.THOMAS, 2. JOINT VENTURE – 48.5 – R.RAJKUMAR, 3. BALTHAZAR – 49.5 – B.HARDING, 4. TRICKY GUY – 51.5 – G.LABAN, 5. POLITICS – 47.5 – W.GALVIZ, 6. BITE DE BULLET – 53.5 – H.EMAMALIE, 7. INDIAN DECISION – 54.5 – C.MARQUEZ, 8. SIR VIDIA – 51.5 – R.JADOO, 9. MANDELA – 55.5 – N.ABREGO.

RACE 7: (4.10pm) OPTIONAL CLAIMING ($7,500 – $6,500) W I BRED 3 Y.O & OVER – PURSE $17,000 – 1350 METRES.
1. TORONTO STAR – 53.5 – B.HARDING, 2. REDOUBLED – 51.5 – N.MANGALEE, 3. STORMING WIND – 52.5 – H.EMAMALIE, 4. POETRY – 52.5 – R.RAMIREZ, 5. COTONOU – 50.5 – WBHARATH, 6. TRIBAL PLACE – 53.5 – J.ARNEAUD, 7. CONFIRMED – 45.5 – R.MANGALEE, 8. ERIC DANCER – 48.5 – L.KEIZER, 9. ALIBI IKI – 53.5 – R.RAJKUMAR, 10. MYSTILE – 48.5 – W.GALVIZ, 11. BADPAYJAMESEE – 53.5 – S.RODRIGO, 12. CASH REWARD – 52.5 – G.LABAN.

RACE 8: (4.47pm) HANDICAP – W I BRED 3 Y.O & OVER NON-WINNERS OF THREE RACES IN CAREER – PURSE $19,000 – 1100 METRES (TURF).
1. V FOR VICTORY – 56.5 – S.RODRIGO, 2. FIRST TIME – 51 – W.GALVIZ, 3. MIR ON FIRE – 55.5 – R.RAMIREZ, 4. CLASSY KIM – 54 – G.LABAN, 5. FULL OF PROMISES – 55.5 – B.HARDING, 6. GETTESBURG – 54 – R.SINGH, 7. UPSET ALL – 48.5 – L.KEIZER, 8. FINEST GEM – 48 – S.RODRIGO, 9. MILLENIUM DANCER – 53 – R.THOMAS, 10. HATRICK – 51 – N.MANGALEE, 11. FANTASTIC LAD – 52.5 – R.JADOO.

RACE 9: (5.20pm) RESTRICTED HANDICAP – W I BRED 3 Y.O & OVER WINNERS AND IMPORTED 3 Y.O & OVER – PURSE $21,000 – 1200 METRES.
1. RED HILL – 56.5 – B.HARDING, 2. BAZODEE GAL – 51.5 – W.GALVIZ, 3. BAJAN CONNECTION – 46 – G.LABAN, 4. RUBY RICH – 51.5 – S.RODRIGO, 5. NATURELLY CLASSY – 48 – W.BHARATH, 6. BEAUTIFUL MIND – 51 – R.JADOO, 7. HONOR BOUND – 55.5 – J.ARNEAUD, 8. RHYTHM DIVINE – 46 – L.KEIZER, 9. SPLITTING IMAGE – 52 – H.EMAMALIE.

Teenaged volleyball stars Nadiege Honore and KellyAnn Billingy have been selected to represent Trinidad and Tobago at the 1st America’s Discovery Coors Light NORCECA Beach Volleyball Cup, which will be staged in Puerto Rico. Honore recently established herself as one of the top blockers in the region. The 17-year-old Starlings VC member placed third among the best from four-time regional champions United States of America, and 12-time NORCECA title-holders Cuba, and  new Pan-American champion Dominican Republic. The Naparima Girls’ High student and Billingy were outstanding at the Caribbean Zonal Volleyball Association (CAZOVA) Junior Championships in Martinique where the Trinidad and Tobago successfully defended the title they won in Suriname two years ago.

Honore was the “Tower of Power” blocking almost everything that skimmed the net and executing power smashes at both championships. Holy Name Convent’s Billingy copped the “Most Valuable Player” and “Best Attacker” awards and the junior tournament. Billingy’s Glamorgan clubmate Sean Morrison (national junior captain) and SEPOS club’s Nolan Tash will represent TT at the inaugural tournament, which carries a first prize of US $3,700. Morrison, like Tash is equally good at the net as a blocker and a potent attacker. Both possess powerful overhead services and accuracy would be the key for success at these tournaments. They represented TT at the Pan-American Games in Santo Domingo and were knocked out in the round of 32. This will be the first outing for a female team.

While Billingy is a good attacker, Honore is much more gifted and suitable for this type of competition. She makes tremendous height and blocks well and also smashes with a lot of power. They will have to practice a lot together to get it right. Michelle Mohan of Starlings and Pauline Woodroofe who emerged as the Stag Mayaro “Spikedown Queens” were not considered for the trip. Mushtaque Mohammed, president of the Trinidad and Tobago Volleyball Federation, revealed that they had to submit the entries before the Mayaro showdown on Republic Day. A total of US $20,000 for both male and female categories is at stake. Each runner-up pair will earn US $2,600 while $1,250 and $850 goes to the third and fourth positions. Those finishing between fifth and eighth will each collect US $400.

According to Mohammed, who is also a NORCECA vice-president, the financial cost for accommodation in Puerto Rico, meals and internal transportation for all participants will be taken care by the Dominican Republic-based NORCECA organisation. They are seeking to spread Beach Volleyball throughout the region and creating more incentives for players who eventually will graduate to the professional ranks. For the local contingent (four players and a manager), airline fares and departure taxes will amount to TT$12,500 and the TTVF is currently trying to raise the funds to send both male and female teams. National senior player David Thomas of Technocrats is the standby for the men’s team while Honore’s Starlings clubmate Stephanie Woodroffe is the standby for the women.

PRIZES totalling more than $400,000 including an Audi A4 motor car are at stake in the American Chamber of Commerce 11th annual Citigroup Linkage Golf tournament on October 12. Yesterday, at a media conference hosted in the AmCham Secretariat at the Hilton Trinidad in Port-of-Spain, AmCham president David Chaney announced the partnership with Citigroup, a rebranding of the recent merger between Citicorp and the Travellers Group, to major players in  international finance. Part proceeds of the tournament, to be staged at the St Andrew’s Golf Club course in Moka, Maraval will once again go towards the development programme of the national junior golf team.

Among those attending the function yesterday were Mark Carmino, vice-president HR and Public Affairs, Citibank (TT) Limited; Michael Guyadeen, Treasurer, Citibank (TT) Limited; Paul Pantin, director PO Box International/Ezone chairman, Am-Cham’s Programmes and Events Committee; and Patricia Ghany a director of Esau Oilfields Supplies. Pantin said the aim is to attract 50 corporate teams in a better-ball contest over 18 holes for attractive prizes and hampers of champagne, cigars, and DeWalt power tools. The prizes have been contributed by AmCham’s 275 members. The Audi A4 motor car for the lucky golfer scoring a hole-in-one will be provided by Automobile Sales Limited. On behalf of Citigroup, Carmino said the commitment of the new brand remains the same as 11 years ago when Citibank was established as a founding member of the AmCham golf effort. “Citigroup is committed to corporate citizenship in every country where it operates to making a difference where employees work and live. Support is given to all areas which enrich lives, preserve communities and promote economic stability. Our organisation has invested millions of dollars over the years here in Trinidad and Tobago in people, community and country,” said Carmino.

He traced the company’s involvement in the competition since 1993 when Citibank became a platinium sponsor and to date have allocated a total of $425,000 to the effort. “It is clearly visible from the chamber’s valuable business contributions that we have invested very well,” said Carmino. He said the success of the tournament is owed to AmCham’s professional organising team, all sponsors, participants, supporters and the media. Defending champions are the father and son team of Hafiz and Hafeez Ali representing Sesame Foods Limited of Freeport who are expected to participate again this year. Special mention was made by AmCham president Chaney of Bridgette Andrews, a knowledgeable golf personality who is assisting AmCham in organising the tournament. Andrews said an exciting event is in the making and assured that the greens at Moka is in impeccable condition. Also attending the launch yesterday were Wendy Soulett of the US Embassy; Clyde Alleyne, Managing-director of IBM (TT) Limited; Nicole Galt, a director of Trinidad Systems Limited; Alison Niles of Docu Centre; Christian Aanensen of Aanensen and Company; Blair Ferguson of the Kenson Group of Companies; Lisa Chamely-Aqui, executive-director of AmCham; and Juliet Gomez, AmCham’s Committee and Projects Officer.

TOP Trinidad and Tobago golfers Simon Merry and Ben Martin are among the golfers who will test their skills against top opposition at the Guardian Life of the Caribbean South Junior Golf tournament. The event, which is the third of its kind to be staged in Trinidad, will tee off from 9 am on Sunday at the Petrotrin Pointe-a-Pierre Golf Club. Teenagers Merry and Martin will be pushed to the limit by the main rivals Robert Costelloe, Dahomey Kadera, Stephan Coombs, Adam Montano and Jonathan Lou while Diana Torry, Victoria Seenath, Anneke Ward, Martine De Gannes and Deannah Ramnath will vie for prizes among the girls. Among the age groups at the day-long contest are the Boys and Girls 16-18, 13-15 and 12-and-under with special events including nine-holes and six-holes for intermediate golfers as well as driving, putting and chipping for beginners.