N Touch

‘WHAT STRIKE?’ ASKS TOBAGO LIFEGUARDS

LifeGuards in Tobago are not on strike. In fact, contrary to a television report Saturday evening, they were never engaged in “strike” action.

That was the word from lifeguards who were on duty at Store Bay and Mt Irvine beach on Sunday when Newsday visited. At the sparsely populated Mt Irvine beach, Charmaine Prescott made it clear that she knew nothing about any strike by her colleagues; likewise her co-worker Charlie Murray. “It is the first time I am hearing about that,” Prescott told Newsday. “I heard about it on Saturday from one of my colleagues when I came to work. I don’t know anything about that. I am on the job!” Further questioned, Prescott denied being involved in a strike. “If I don’t know anything about it, I can’t be part of it!” she stressed. Told of the television report, Murray said he knew nothing about it either. “I was hearing about some protest action; (but) I don’t know anything about any strike.” Both lifeguards however requested that their photographs be not taken. Meantime, an acquaintance nearby was making fun and “kicksing off” about a certain lifeguard who was on television “making noise for his money.”

Across at Store Bay where the mostly sun-bathing crowd was out, there were three lifeguards — Beverley Joseph, Adam Hackett, and Richard “The Lion Heart” (the surname he gave Newsday) — on duty. Richard acted as a sort of spokesman for the three, nudging Hackett into silence on several occasions. Richard emphasised that they were never on “strike,” but on “sick-out,” because they had not been paid their fortnightly wages. “There was no day that we were never on the job; we always here,” said Hackett. “We are to respond; we are trained lifeguards, we would not let anybody die,” Richard replied, when asked what would happen if someone was in difficulty. “Strike! That’s what we said in a way to force them to give us our money”, Hackett told Newsday. But, they insisted, “Sick-out; not strike.”

Ramesh: ‘Shocker’ for PNM and UNC

FORMER Attorney General Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj disclosed that “a major shocker” is coming that will rock the political landscape of Trinidad and Tobago. Noting that both the ruling People’s National Movement (PNM) and the Opposition United National Congress (UNC) were preparing for internal elections, Maharaj told Newsday those elections would not help the PNM or the UNC to improve their political efficiency.

The former AG said it mattered little what long-term plans the PNM and UNC made because both of them had “a complete misconception” of how people “at the ground level” perceived the state of political affairs in TT. “In the next few weeks, I will make an announcement that will come as a major shocker,” Maharaj disclosed. However, Maharaj declined to give any further details on what that announcement would be. Since the 2002 General Elections, Maharaj has been interfacing with several community groups and embarked on what he described as a “crusade for social transformation and justice.” He however, opted to keep his National Team Unity (NTU) out of the July 14 Local Government elections. Maharaj’s activities increased following the closure of Caroni (1975) Limited in July when he offered to champion the cause of sugar workers and farmers. Opposition Leader Basdeo Panday told Newsday that Maharaj was using former Caroni workers to boost his political stock and draw UNC supporters into his fold. Maharaj has repeatedly denied that his actions were politically motivated.

Asked whether he thought the upcoming UNC internal elections would help the party solve its political problems, Maharaj was non-committal. Despite his slate being victorious in the UNC’s internal elections of June 6, 2001, Maharaj and his executive got the cold shoulder from Panday who reportedly wanted then St Joseph MP Carlos John as his deputy political leader. Following a retreat at the Rudranath Capildeo Learning Resource Centre in Couva on Sunday, UNC chairman Wade Mark hinted that the party’s internal elections would be held by year-end. Panday has repeatedly stated his desire to retire from active politics at age 70. St Augustine MP Winston Dookeran is heading a 15-member committee to develop strategies to help the UNC return to government. Dookeran, who presented a paper on Sunday on “the way forward” has repeatedly been touted by UNC sources as Panday’s likely successor.

Congrats to scholars

OUR SINCERE congratulations go out to students who have won either Open or Additional Scholarships in this year’s Cambridge GCE Advanced Level examinations. There is no need for us to emphasise the fact that these scholars not only exemplify what is best in our young people but that they also inspire us with hope in the future of our country. The results of the examinations in fact show that TT is able to produce scholars who can rank with and even outperform the best in the world in all the different disciplines.

In our concern about the nation’s youth and their problems of indiscipline, we often see the need for exemplars and standard bearers. It is refreshing, then, to note that, in our many scholastic achievers, such exemplars and strandard bearers can come from the ranks of young people themselves. They demonstrate to their peers that, as teenagers, they can pursue their dreams with discipline and commitment without becoming “bookworms” sacrificing their interest and their enjoyment in other fulfilling activities. This year, we must commend St Joseph’s Convent, Port-of-Spain, and Naparima College for the exceptional results the schools have achieved in these examinations. Students of St Joseph’s have won a total of 16 scholarships which include one of the President’s Medals. According to a justly proud Principal Elizabeth Crouch, St Joseph’s performance this year was “really incredible.” Naparima College has copped 15 scholarships including the other President’s Medal. It is interesting to note reactions of President’s Medal winner Summer Alston-Smith when we interviewed her about her outstanding success. The charming teenager confided that she never experienced any pressure from her parents with regard to home work and assignments. “I am a work-hard, play-hard kind of person,” she declared. Summer noted also that she had attended all her classes.

Kevin Singh, winner of the other President’s Medal, who is studying Actuarial Science in Canada, is described by Principal Maureen Attwal as “a mixture of brilliance and humility” who was always willing to help other students with their work. Attwal also makes a significant observation: “I think the learning climate we created here at Naparima College and the dedication of teachers who give of their extra time have indeed paid off.” We expect that all our scholarship winners will appreciate the fact that public funds are paying for their education, to the extent of attaining their professional goals and, as a result, they have a responsibility to pay back the “debt” by serving their country. Finally, where the achievement of scholarship winners should serve to inspire other young people, the success of the “prestige schools” should also present a challenge for other schools to do better.

A town without pity


I expect that few people will remember a dance called “The Twist” — whatever versions of it have survived today — and fewer still would have heard of Chubby Checker, the man who claims to have “invented” or, at least popularised this “waist-in-motion” dance.

Quite recently, a not-too-humble Chubby Checker claimed that he was really the “father” of “Rock ‘n’ Roll” and demanded that he be given some credit by way of an appropriate bust being set up in a public place in recognition of that claim. Interestingly, Chubby Checker “took in front before in front took him” by advising his supposed fans and diminishing admirers to buck up, “and not wait to send me flowers when I can no longer smell them.” My mind then dwelt for a moment on a number of those who have given yeoman service to their country and countrymen (including women) and, in the winter of their days, (yesterday’s children, as Gypsy called them) are consigned to the vagaries of fortune or misfortune, as the case might be. On our own local scene, I could bring tears to your eyes if I itemised some of the reversals of fortune that have been the lot of honest persons who have once laboured long and hard in the national vineyard. I’m not, here, referring to crooks and conmen who have filled their front pockets, side pockets, back pockets and their nennen and tantie pockets as well and, after eating the choicest foods and drinking the finest wines in the metropolis can truthfully belch, “Thanks to those eternal suckers, I’ll never be poor again!”

I respect the privacy of those who have suffered silently and some who have even departed this life. However, there is one case that I’ve found of some interest and I have no qualms about referring to it publicly, as it is already in the public domain. Sir Arthur Lewis once referred to the case of the late Jamaican Prime Minister and eminent West Indian lawyer Norman Manley now occupying — I understand — a plot in Jamaica’s “Heroes’ burial ground.” Said Sir Arthur, “Norman Manley entered Jamaican politics as a rich lawyer with a thriving practice and left in such spare circumstances that he had to sell the family home “Dumblair” in order to feed himself and his wife.” I wonder how many of the students at the Norman Manley law school are aware that Norman Manley was utterly frustrated at being unable to “kick-start” his legal practice after his long, thankless sojourn in the jungle of Jamaican politics. The late Sir Hugh Wooding had apparently secured his “nest egg” when he accepted the office of TT Chief Justice, and so could quip about his Chief Justice’s salary reminding him of what he once paid in taxes. There was, however, the case of a founding member of the PNM (during Dr Williams’ watch) having the humiliating experience of being sent from pillar to post in search of some pittance due to him, as gratuity and pension, for “long and meritorious service.” You’d probably be surprised to hear that the poor fellow retired as an ambassador and (would you believe?) was a holder of the country’s highest honour, the Trinity Cross. This has almost invariably been a town “with more dollars than sense” and, worse than that, “a town without pity.” But that’s another sad story.

What’s now being publicly promoted as “a hot button” political issue is the case of former President Arthur NR Robinson receiving perquisites — some specified, and others, so far, unspecified — from TT’s cabinet. That should not ordinarily have been a public or political controversy, except for the fact that, on the surface of it, Mr Manning and his government could be seen to be in the former President’s debt for his having passed “the mantle,” as he called it, to Mr Manning in preference to Mr Panday, thereby, in effect giving the former whatever political advantages that accrued to incumbency. Now let me make two things abundantly clear. First, unlike a number of what I characterise as “political infants and intellectual dolts,” I’m convinced that, whatever the former President’s motives or expressed reasons, the country was better served by being given a respite from Basdeo Panday’s political idiocies, idiosyncrasies and patent incapacities — histrionics and vacuous “lyrics” notwithstanding.

My second point is that I hold no brief for Mr Robinson and I’m aware that in his long, chequered, eventful political career, he can be called to account for not a few misjudgments, political sins of commission and/or omission. But like any other politician his political “copy book” must be open to public scrutiny. However, I hasten to add that Panday’s easily anticipated obsession with branding Robinson as “a racist,” pseudo or otherwise, with the tedious regularity of “a stuck record or a recurring decimal” is merely the reflection of the inferiority complexes and neuroses of a punch-drunk politician on the ropes. One fellow, of known anti-Robinson leaning has made heavy weather of “the amount of money the government has spent and is likely to spend to help Robinson maintain a lifestyle that he got accustomed to as president.” Re the two luxury cars: Robinson’s son, David, said that one of the cars was chosen for “functionality concerns” to accommodate the known disabilities of the elderly couple. Whether we like Robinson or not, whatever we might think of his contribution, the fact remains that he has an international profile and is likely (in fact is expected) to play host to eminent international personalities. Should they not be taken around in vehicles that they’re used to and those in keeping with their status?

We should be wary of embarrassing the country, just to get at Robinson or Manning. The country’s image is more important, even those who specialise in tarnishing that image should recognise that. Mr Robinson’s — and arguably, his wife’s — health have been sacrificed at the altar of public service. Remember July 27, 1990? I’m by no means suggesting that the sky should be the limit of dispensations — I don’t favour the word “favours” — accorded the former president nor do I hold the view that we should cater to his every whim and fancy but beyond the personality issue one has to look at the bigger picture and to keep an eye on the presidency as an institution. I’d be very surprised if the UNC (and Panday, in particular) can resist the temptation to beat that issue to a frazzle in an attempt to embarrass Manning and Robinson. What has me taken aback is the suggestion that the matter was leaked by cabinet elements to achieve God-alone-knows-what. I have no problem in the matter, however delicate, being dealt with transparently. However, it might be too much to ask the current political dispensations, on both sides of the aisle, to find a civil and dignified way of doing things. To the cabinet source of the “embarrassing leak,” I hazard the guess that if there’s one item that should find Tobagonians united in response, it would be any perceived shabby treatment of “the native son.” Robbie may still have the last laugh. Drag yuh bow, Mr Fiddler!

Hooper returns for Red Stripe

Former West Indies cricket captain Carl Hooper, who declined selection during the recent Australian Test series, seems intent on making a return to regional cricket.

Newsday has learnt  that Hooper, who has been scoring heavily for Lancashire in the English Second Division County Championship, will play for Guyana in the upcoming Red Stripe Bowl one-day regional tournament in October. “We will be finalising all details this week, but we can say that Carl Hooper wants to play for Guyana again and he has made himself available for selection when he was contacted by the Guyana Cricket Board,”  President of the GCB, Chetram Singh said. “When he was contacted, he was very eager to return to play for Guyana, and we are very much interested in having someone of the calibre of Carl Hooper on the team. But this comes as no surprise to us here, because Carl has always said he was interested, and recently he sent an e-mail saying he will be here. We just need to finalise the dates and time,” Singh added.

Singh was uncertain about the captaincy of the Guyana team.
“We have not yet discussed that, but of course Carl Hooper would be considered for such a post once he is interested, but we will take things one at a time. As everyone can see Carl is in great form with the bat and his presence would certainly assist our chances in the Red Stripe Bowl,” Singh said. On the question of a recall to the West Indies team Singh said the matter  is up to the West Indies selectors. “Carl can only go out there and score runs and leave it up to them. He has never openly stated he does not want to play for the West Indies. He said at the time he was stepping down to give a younger batsman a chance. “We must be honest and admit that Carl Hooper is still one of the better batsman in the West Indies. Just examine the interest that county cricket team have in him. Let us give him a chance to return and play for Guyana and see what happens after that. But we would have further details on Hooper very shortly,” noted Singh. Hooper leads the Lancashire averages now, having scored 1,074 runs from 11 matches which includes a best of 177 against Warwickshire.

Striker turns his back on England to play for TT

MARRAKECH: Trinidad and Tobago’s senior footballers trained for the first time at the Stade Harte here in Marrakech, Morocco ahead of Wednesday’s friendly international against the host nation.

The TT team comprising a mix of overseas and local-based professionals has settled nicely at the La Meridien Hotel, Marrakech, following their journey from Piarco last Friday evening. The footballers and officials spent Saturday night at the Hyatt Hotel,  Casablanca before taking a connecting flight to Marrakech yesterday morning. And despite the humid conditions, skipper Reynold Carrington and company are eagerly awaiting the chance for what undoubtedly is the team’ biggest international match Stuart Charles-Fevrier took up duties as head coach earlier this year. The last time the teams met, A TT side with Falkirk midfielder Russell Latapy, Portsmouth goalkeeper Shaka Hislop, David Nakhid and English-born newcomers Ronnie Mauge and Ian Cox, in the line-up lost 1-0 as they prepared for Gold Cup and World Cup campaigns. This time around, the circumstances are not much different as TT’s journey towards Germany 2006 is on the verge of kicking into high gear. Cox and Mauge were newcomers three years ago and on Wednesday, another TT English-based player is expected to make his debut for Charles- Fevrier’s team.

Promising Watford striker Jason Norville met his new teammates at Heathrow Airport in London, England and is all pumped up over the opportunity to play on the senior international stage. Having lived in England since the age of six, Norville, who turns 20 tomorrow, revealed that despite attempts by Watford officials to prevent him from playing for TT, he said he could not turn his back on the opportunity. After all, he turned down the chance to  play for England at the Under-21 level also. “This is an opportunity I have thought long and hard about and I made up my mind that I wanted to play for Trinidad and Tobago,” Norville said yesterday. “But back at the club, they weren’t too happy about me coming over for this match and I have  already been warned that when I return (to Watford), my place won’t be there and I’ll have to fight to get back into the team. But I’m prepared to go all the way because this opportunity to play on the international stage is something I have my set my mind on doing,” said Norville.

Army shoot down Starworld Strikers 4-1

THREE GOALS in the space of 17 minutes was enough to give Defence Force a 4-1 triumph over South Starworld Strikers in a rescheduled T&T Pro League encounter yesterday.

The Army-Coast Guard combination was originally carded to face Joe Public at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo, yesterday but “the Eastern Lions” was unable to field a full-strength team due to the absence of a number of players on national senior and Under-23 duties. Defence Force leap-frogged Starworld and North East Stars into third place on the 10-team standings while Tobago United, yet to win a match this season, held a 1-0 first half lead over N/E Stars last night at the Dwight Yorke Stadium, Bacolet, through a Nicholas Jack item. In front of a sprinkling of fans at the Mucurapo venue, Starworld were given an early setback when burly striker Akudu Goodridge opened the scoring in the 15th minute. Evergreen midfielder Marvin Gordon doubled the lead in the 20th, capitalising on a defensive breakdown between Marlon Stoute and Vijay Samaroo, who both failed to clear a right-side chip from Owen Matthews.

Sean Julien, the league’s top-scorer last year, skied his shot overbar from a square pass from fellow forward Kester Cornwall in the 28th, a miss which will return to haunt the Southerners. Four minutes later, a long ball from left-back Kwesi Smith found Goodridge who converted past the flat-footed Starworld goalkeeper Jefferson George. Starworld slowly got their act together, with captain and former national senior defender Sherwyn Julien, from a lay-off from younger brother Sean, slamming his left-footer overbar in the 35th. The younger Julien added his name on the scoresheet one minute into the second stanza, thundering an indirect free-kick, set-up from Andre Charles, beyond the reach of goalie Selwyn George. Sean Julien could only watch in agony as his pass to a goalbound Marc Borde was blocked by defender Kelshall Alexander in the 49th minute. But Defence Force regained control of proceedings, and young striker Kevon Carter put the nail on the coffin seven minutes later, sent clear by Gordon he buried his drive past the reach of Jefferson George.

Under-20 Results: STARWORLD STRIKERS (3) – Kareem Simon 11th, Jamal Ayres 51st, Solomon Beaumont 73rd vs DEFENCE FORCE (2) – Jamal Simmons 18th, Keston Greene 83rd; NORTH EAST STARS (2) – Haroon Thompson, Kerwyn Matthews vs TOBAGO UNITED (0).



















































































































































































































































Current Standings –
Senior
P W D L F A Pts
San Juan Jabloteh 15 12 3 0 45 11 39
W Connection 14 9 4 1 34 12 31
Defence Force 14 8 1 5 29 25 25
Starworld Strikers 14 7 2 5 27 19 23
North East Stars 14 7 2 5 21 17 23
SWIF 15 4 5 6 23 33 17
Joe Public 12 2 8 2 14 16 14
Arima Fire 15 2 4 9 11 29 10
Caledonia AIA 14 2 3 9 11 28 9
Tobago United 13 0 2 11 4 30 2
Under-20
P W D L F A Pts
San Juan Jabloteh 15 11 1 3 37 12 34
Starworld Strikers 14 9 2 3 33 18 29
W Connection 14 8 2 4 43 19 26
Caledonia AIA 14 7 4 3 28 17 25
North East Stars 14 6 1 7 17 22 19
Joe Public 11 4 4 3 22 15 16
SWIF 14 4 3 7 14 28 15
Arima Fire 15 4 2 10 20 40 14
Defence Force 13 4 1 8 28 31 13
Tobago United 14 1 2 11 10 45 5

Chanticleer ready for $m club

Top money earner Chanticleer has been showing up well on the gallops and if he continues in the same vein could soon reach the magical million dollar figure in career earnings.

The 10-year-old bay gelding, who holds the record for the most wins (25) at Santa Rosa Park, Arima has seen lean times this season. This for the most part having been sidelined with injury. With only two appearances to date this season, the son of Freshly Squeezed banked $6,290 for owner David Ojar. He is now $7,000 shy of joining Sian’s Gold around the million dollar round table. But if  the manner in which John O’Brian inmate acquitted himself on the course yesterday over 800 metres is anything to go by, then the enviable mark looks threatened. Working solo over the last 800 metres of the main course, the top creole dubbed the “Iron Horse,” showed the enthusiasm he was noted for two seasons ago, posting a relaxed 49.79 seconds on the clock under Nobel Abrego. The effort attained a “good” in the remarks column of the Arima Race Club’s official clocker’s report. Giving eye-catching performances also yesterday morning were American imports Soul Asylum and Florida Flame.

The two unraced individuals, attached to Cyril “Grey Patch” Arneaud and Shaffique Khan stables stretched out from the top of the straight to the winning line in 23.85 seconds. Return To Sender showed that she has come on for her debut. The daughter of Nobodywantsme, whose sight is set on the Futurity Stakes, signalled that she has gotten the hang of things, registering an impressive 35.98 seconds over the last 600 metres of the course in campany with Sure Honey. Other good workouts on the morning came from Affirm Decision, A’m No Hunter, Isle Be There and Tricky Gut over 400 metres, French Academy and Alantic Breeze, Francesca, Serah’s Trick, City Of Lights and Fromnowuntil, Bold Blush, Rocket Booster and Zalyam, Seamore Harbour and Attitude, Hyarima, Confirmed and Seductive, and Golden Honour over 600 metres. Brightening up over 800 metres were Sure Wager, Game High, Bazodee Gal, Full Of Promises and Toronto Star, Maid Of Honour and New Star, with Millenium Reign and Due Dilligence, Top Of The Class and Carnival Messiah in pleasing runs over 1200 metres.


Following are yesterday’s recorded gallops: 400 METRES: Soul Asylum and Florida Flame – 23.85, good. Affirm Decision – 24.77, good. A’m No Hunter – 24.04, good. Tricky Guy – 24.34, good. Indian Decision – 29.12, pacing. Hunt The Magic – 27.77, pacing. Isle Be There – 24.17, good. Millenium Dancer – 24.96, handily. Lovely Pearl – 26.00, handily. First Time – 29.07, pacing. Living In Hope – 29.87, pacing. Skylite and Ruby Scores – 26.00, handily. Trini To The Bone and Alamanamou – 25.69, handily. Retired Banker – 28.46, pacing. Over And Above – 29.96, pacing. Jattahyu – 25.46, handily. Classic Example – 28.98, pacing. J D’s Express – 29.98, pacing. Skippy’s Dream and Outrageous Victory – 27.52, easy.
600 METRES: French Academy and Atlantic Breeze – 37.14, good. Francesca – 36.25, good. Return To Sender ans Sure Honey – 35.98, good. Serah’s Trick – 36.89, good. City Of Lights and Fromnowuntil – 36.68, good. Bold Blush, Rocket Booster and Zalyan – 37.32, good. Fresh Mandate and Bound To Dot Com – 37.27, handily. Hass and Caribbean Kiss – 38.58, handily. Bite De Bullet – 42.70, pacing. Punto A Punto – 37.15, ridden out. Chief Of Staff – 43.92, pacing. Gold Conveyor – 41.39, handily. Once In A Lifetime – 42.61, pacing. Uncle Joe – 38.37, ridden out. Cheerleader – 41.75, handily. Fabulous Risk and Smart And Lucky – 38.98, handily. Ruby Rich and Mucho Tempo – 38.20, handily. La Nina – 42.96, pacing. Ex Island Chimes and Dead Sure – 39.05, handily. Seaham Harbour and Attitude – 36.64, good. Laura’s Boy – 44.99, pacing. Winning Trick – 39.77, handily.Red Hill – 43.77, pacing. Hyarima, Confirmed and Seductive – 36.45, good. Sunshine Bunny – 44.18, pacing. Golden Harbour – 36.50, good. Guardian Angel – 38.76, handily.
800 METRES: Sure Wager – 48.65, good. Bazodee Gal – 48.72, good. Maid Of Honour – 49.36, good. New Star – 50.37, good. Chanticleer – 49.79, good.Game High – 50.42, good. Belmont Valley – 57.86, pacing. Mutola – 52.45, handily. Honor Bound and Skipper – 52.65, handily. Alibi Iki – 52.39, handily. Full Of Promises and Toronto Star – 50.27, good. Moulin Rouge and Speedfuhso – 59.98, pacing. Phantom Menace and Fortunate Flag – 51.12, handily. Hollywood Star – 52.64, handily. Undisputed – 58.65, pacing.
1000 METRES: Touch Wood and Van Nistelrooy – 1:09.86, handily Cold Risk – 1:06.93, handily. Notanothernoble – 1:11.18, pacing. .
1200 METRES: Millenium Reign and Due Dilligence – 1:16.62, good. Mystile – 1:23.39, handily. Sweet Dreams – 1:29.92, pacing. Top Of The Class – 1:15.37, good. Carnival Messiah – 1:15.78, good.

Emile stays road cycling king

EMILE ABRAHAM yesterday gave a strong signal that he will be the man to beat in the upcoming Tobago International Cycling Classic when he sprinted away with the National Championship Road Race in San Fernando.

Riding for Trinbago Wheelers, Abraham completed the course in La Romain in four hours, 30 minutes 21 seconds to retain the title he won last year. Fresh from winning a three-stage event in the United States where he campaigns, Abraham beat former champion and Caribbean Road race title-holder Stephen Mangroo and Guy Costa of Heatwave in a blinding sprint to the finish. All three pedal pushers were credited with the same time. In fourth place was Christopher Gill, riding for Heatwave followed in fifth by David Als of Warriors. Yesterday, Ed Watson, Public Relations Officer of the Cycling Federation (TTCF) said Abraham’s victory was an ominous sign for the foreign invaders coming for the Tobago race from September 18 to 21. “Emile’s performance is all the more noteworthy because he was racing against a stronger field evidenced by the close finish,” said Watson. He revealed that Mangroo may have been hampered yesterday by the loss and subsequent retrieval of his new Belgian custom-made bike.

Returning to Trinidad from a tough nine-stage Tour of French Guiana where he placed a creditable 11th, Mangroo’s cycle ended up in Martinique. “He had a stressful week and may have been set back by the uncertainty and anxiety in getting his bike back,” said Watson yesterday. In the Junior Category yesterday, Adam Alexander of Warriors once more underlined his great potential with a close victory in 2.45:53. In second place, with the same time was Dariel Perreira of Mercury Rising. Gustavo Jacobs (Southclaine) was fourth followed by teammate Brandon Phillips in fifth. And in an unusual occurrence, female guest rider Ruth Hessells, a Dutch national living in Trinidad and Tobago put the Veterans 40 and Over bunch to shame winning their five-lap grind comfortably. However the gold medal went to Dick Ramchand who was the first TT rider to finish in 2.46:22, riding for Warriors.

In second was Gregory Dandrade (Toyota Madonna), credited with the same time; followed by Kevin Lee Young, an unattached cyclist. Robert Sharpe of Heatwave was next. In the Veterans 50 and Over, doing two laps, Ronald Peters of Toyota Madonna got sweet revenge over his archrival Ed Watson (unattached) in a sprint to the line. Both were given the same time of 1.15.25. Last Monday (Independence holiday) Watson had beaten Peters into second in the National Championship Criterium at Wallerfield. In third place yesterday was Heatwave’s Peter Hernandez with Godfrey Kline of TL Singh Sonics fourth. Yesterday Watson said Abraham will be supported in his bid to retain the Tobago International Classic crown by a strong team from the US sponsored by Aerospace Engineering and Toyota. Not to be outdone Mangroo, a Guyana-born naturalised TT citizen will be riding with his Belgian connections, Bowal, where he spent several months recently competing in a semi-professional capacity.

RESULTS
National Road Race Championship
SENIORS
1. Emile Abraham (Trinbago Wheelers) 4.30:21; 2 Stephen Mangroo (Unattached) 4.30:21; 3 Guy Costa (Heatwave) 4.30:21; 4 Christopher Gill (Heatwave); 5 David Als (Warriors).
JUNIORS
1 Adam Alexander (Warriors) 2.45:53; 2 Dariel Perreira (Mercury Rising) 2.45:53; 3 Gustavo Jacobs (Southclaine); 4 Brandon Phillips (Southclaine).
VETERANS 40 AND OVER
1 Dick Ramchand (Warriors) 2.46.22; 2 Gregory Dandrade (Toyta Madonna) 2.46:22; 3 Kevin Lee Young (Unattached); 4 Robert Sharpe (Heatwave).
VETERANS 50 AND OVER
1 Ronald Peters (Toyota Madonna) 1.15:24; 2 Edward Watson (Unattached) 1.15:24; 3 Peter Hernandez (Heatwave); 4 Godfrey Kline (TL Singh Sonics)


LAST MONDAY’S RESULTS
SENIORS
1 Guy Costa (Heatwave) 58.17:19; 2 David Als (Warriors) 56.52:59; 3 Colin Wilson (Warriors) 58.47:45.
JUNIORS
1 Adam Alexander (Warriors) 36.50.35; 2 Stephen Rambaran (Southhampton) 38.00:30; 3 Christopher Sellier (Warriors) 39.02.96; 4 Dariel Perreira (Mercury Rising) 39.13:99.
VETERANS 40 AND OVER
1 Courtnay Mark (Unattached) 37.21:15; 2 Gregory Dandrade (Toyota Madonna) 37.45:60; 3 Dick Ramcharan (Warriors) 37.49:09; 4 Imtiaz Ali (Nepuyo Wheelers) 38.38:45.
VETERANS 50 AND OVER
1 Ed Watson (Unattached) 19.49.22; 2 Ronald Peters (Toyota Madonna) 19.50.51; 3 Peter Hernandez (Heatwave) 19.53.73; 4 Stephen Joseph (TL Singh Sonics) 20.27:88.
VETERANS 60 AND OVER
1 Joey Nunez (Southampton) 21.49.82; 2 Peter De Silva (Unattached) 23.22:41.

‘Tigers,’ Malick, Arima set to match on

ST ANTHONY’S, Malick and Arima will all be eyeing their second successive wins in the 2003 British Gas Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) competition.

Twelve matches are carded for today, in the North, East and South Zones, with St Anthony’s hosting Fatima at the St Anthony’s Grounds, Westmoorings, Malick meeting QRC at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo and Arima welcoming Barataria at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar, Arima. The “Westmoorings Tigers” showed that they are the team to beat with a 2-0 whipping of the Royalians on the opening day on Thursday last while Malick’s striker Hayden Tinto made his presence felt in a 2-0 triumph over Diego Martin on Saturday. Morvant/Laventille kicked off their debut season with a 4-2 humiliation of St Mary’s two days ago, and they will be pursuing their second victory against Mucurapo at the Fatima Grounds. Diego Martin and the Saints will try to redeem themselves when they face off at the Diego Martin Grounds.

The “Dial Dynamos” Arima, who recorded a crushing 4-0 win over San Juan, will be looking to carry that momentum when they meet Barataria while the “Blue Thunder” El Dorado, who edged St Augustine 2-1 on Thursday, will host Toco at the El Dorado Grounds. St Augustine will battle newcomers Hillview at the St Augustine Grounds while St George’s, who were held to a 2-2 draw against Toco on Friday last, face off against San Juan at St George’s Grounds. In South Zone action, Naparima will eye their second win in a row when they meet Fyzabad at Fyzabad while Mayaro and Vessigny, who lost their opening round of matches, clash at Mayaro. All matches will kick off at 3.45 pm with the exception of a doubleheader at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella, with defending champs Princes Town meeting Pleasantville at 3 pm while St Benedict’s oppose Presentation San Fernando at 5 pm.