BRIDGETOWN: AS FAR as Andy Roberts is concerned, six weeks was always too short a time for Jermaine Lawson to correct his flawed bowling action.

“This is something that would take three months, at least, maybe even six,” Roberts, who took 202 Test wickets as the pioneer of the fearsome West Indies fast attacks in the late 1970s and early 1980s, said on Monday. “Your action is part of a bowler’s being,” he explained. “It’s something you grow up with, something you get accustomed to, something you do over and over again. It becomes as natural as tying your shoelaces. “You don’t change it that quickly or easily,” he said. “It takes time and plenty of work and discipline.” He said as much when he was initially contacted by then West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) president, Rev Wes Hall, and subsequently by WICB chief cricket development officer, Dr Michael Seepersaud, to aid in Lawson’s renovation. As it turned out, Roberts was never engaged. It was first mooted that Lawson would come to Antigua, Roberts’ home, for the sessions but it was ultimately decided that the 21-year-old Jamaican fast bowler remain in Kingston and work under the guidance of Philip Service and Andrew Coley, two WICB accredited WICB coaches.

Roberts said Lawson would have to “start from the beginning.” “I would have him first delivering from a standing position so that he would get accustomed to using his body to get the force. Part of his problem was that he was using his arm almost exclusively,” he said. He said he had ordered heavier balls – nine and a half  to ten ounces instead of the regulation five and a half – that would help in developing more body in the action. “I’m prepared to work with him any time,” he said. “I’m always prepared to do anything I can to help West Indies cricket.” Roberts said he felt that one of the reasons why he was not contracted to work with Lawson over an extended period was that he had not passed through the WICB coaching programme. He said he was ready to go to Jamaica for a spell but, at one point, was told that no hotel rooms could be found as it was during the World Netball Championships. On another occasion, he could not take time off from his business.

TRINIDAD and Tobago’s table tennis players continued their impressive run yesterday bagging three silver medals at the  47th Caribbean Championships currently underway in Kingston, Jamaica.

The men’s doubles, women’s doubles and mixed doubles teams all qualified for their respective finals but were bettered by the rampant Dominican Republic players who are the dominant force at this year’s championships. In the men’s doubles  France-based professional Dexter St Louis and Anthony Brown beat Puerto Rico’s Coste Santiago and Juan Reveles in the semi-finals 11-5, 2-10, 13-11, 12-10. In the other half of the draw, the Dominican Republic pair of Lin Ju and Roberto Brito scored a hard-fought victory against Barbadians Robert Roberts and Trevor Farley 6-11, 11-6, 9-11, 11-8, 7-11. Lin Ju is a recent Pan Am Games singles gold medallist while Brito was runner-up last year at the Caribbean Championships.

In the final St Louis and Brown drew first blood winning the first game 11-6, lost the second 6-11, won the third 11-7 but conceded defeat in the final two 4-11, 4-11. In the mixed doubles competition, TT’s St Louis and his talented stepdaughter Rae-Ann Chung who also plays for Bordeaux in France beat the Dominican Republic’s second pair of Roberto Brito and Olga Villa 11-9, 8-11, 11-6, 11-6. This set up a fight for the gold medal against the DR’s top pair of Lin Ju and Wu Xue who swept past Barbados’ Trevor Farley and Ann Reid 11-7, 11-5, 11-6 in their semi-final match-up. But in the final St Louis and Chung had no answer to the ex-Chinese nationals capitulating at 9, 3, 8 to claim the silver medal. In the women’s doubles, Chung and Shelly-Ann Parris gave an outstanding performance in their semi-final against Barbados, literally bringing down the University of Science and Technology venue in what has been dubbed the “match of the tournament.” Parris and Chung lost the first two games but bounced back to oust Crystal Harvey and Sabrina Worrell 7-11, 3-11, 11-3, 11-8, 19-17.

In the final Chung and Parris were overwhelmed by Dominican Republic’s Wu Xue and Olga Villa 11-6, 11-7, 11-1 for the silver medal. In their half of the draw Wu Xue and Villa beat the Venezuelan pair of Yamileth Arasme and Mata 11-6, 11-3, 11-9. Yesterday Stanley Hunte, president of the Table Tennis Association and delegate at the Caribbean Championships said the TT players once again rose to the occasion and performed to the best of their ability. He said the singles competition is already underway and St Louis is the only player standing in the way of the Dominican Republic’s Wu Xue who is the Pan gold medallist and holds a world ranking. Hunte said a measure of the player’s calibre is his recent performance against world champion Pimo Boll whom he took two games off but lost 4-2 at the World Championships. Yesterday the women were playing in seven groups of four and were expected to whittle down to the last 16. The men however are playing in 13 groups of four and would go down to the last 32. Hunte also revealed that TT have offered to host the secretariat of the Caribbean Table Tennis Federation which is currently based in Barbados. A decision was to be made last night.

Easter Guineas and Midsu-mmer Classic winner Top Of The Class is set to grace the track at Santa Rosa Park on Saturday.

The triple crown seeker is listed to make an appearance against six runners in a 1750 metres allowance contest, highlighting a 10-race card on the Arima Race Club Day 26 programme. The Glenn Mendez-trained three-year-old son of Freshly Squeezed has become a household name after the manner he disposed of his age group in the first two classic races this season. He is using Saturday’s race as a warm-up for next month’s Royal Oak Derby (September 24). Victory in next month’s blue riband will rake in a bonus of $250,000 for completing the Triple Crown for owners Merlin Samlalsingh and Rupert Leong Poi, besides the winner’s purse. And should the stout-hearted front runner go on to capture the Champion Stakes later in the season, will dent the coffers of CLICO by a further $750,000.

Trainer Mendez goes into Saturday’s event with a double-fisted attack. Carnival Messiah who in 2001 became the first to complete the elusive treble since centralisation of horse racing at Santa Rosa Park, Arima, will be his other representative in the West Indian bred staying event. Trainer John O’Brien is also well represented with four runners in the star-studded contest worth $26,000. Chanticleer, who chalked up 25 wins on both courses at Arima and is just  a few thousand dollars shy of one million dollars  in earnings heads his attack. New Millenium, last year’s Royal Oak Derby winner, Maid of Honour and Bound To Dot Com are the other members who will be trying to dent Top Of The Class’ tall reputation leading up to the final leg of the series. The field is completed by Fresh Honey.

Following are the framed races, entries, weights and jockeys for the entire card.
RACE 1: (12.45pm) W I BRED 2 Y.O – PURSE $22,000 – 1100 METRES.
1. ALL SET TO BATTLE – 55 – J ARNEAUD, 2. JAVA TAKEOVER – 50 – N SAMAROO, 3. SUNDAY JEWEL – 53 – R RAJKUMAR, 4. EL GRINGO – 52 – R JADOO, 5. JAVA IN STYLE – 52 – R SINGH, 6. MUSIC MAN – 52 – F RAZACK, 7. SALSA MOVES – 52 – R MANGALEE, 8. LAURA’S BOY – 52 – R CHADEE.
RACE 2: (1.20pm) 3 Y.O & OVER OPTIONAL CLAIMING ($7,500 – $6,500) – PURSE $17,000 – 1350 METRES.
1. ONCE IN A LIFETIME – 43.5 – R BADAL, 2. DAURIAN – 49.5 – J ARNEAUD, 3. IF ONLY – 45.5 – K BISSOON, 4. CASH REWARD – 49.5 – R JADOO, 5. UNCLE JOE – 45.5 – R RAGOONATH, 6. DURABILITY – 48.5 – R FREEMAN, 7. YANKEE EAGLE – 55.5 – N SAMAROO.
RACE 3: (1.55pm) HANDICAP – IMPORTED 3 Y.O & OVER MAIDENS – PURSE $21,000 – 1300 METRES.
1. RING DANG DO – 52.5 – W BHARATH, 2. PATTIE’S NO ANGEL – 53.5 – S RODRIGO, 3. OUTRAGEOUS VICTORY – 55 – B HARDING, 4. FROMNOWUNTIL – 52 – C MARQUEZ, 5. GAZA STRIP – 56.5 – J.ARNEAUD, 6. MARACAS BAY – 47 – R.FREEMAN, 7. GUATAMA – 55.5 – V CHARLES.
RACE 4: (2.30pm) ALLOWANCE – W I BRED 3 Y.O & OVER WINNERS AND IMPORTED 3 Y.O & OVER.
1. MILLENIUM REIGN – 56.5 – B HARDING, 2. MAID OF HONOUR – 49.5 – G LABAN, 3. TOP OF THE CLASS – 43.5 – R JADOO, 4. CARNIVAL MESSIAH – 56.5 – S RODRIGO, 5. BOUND TO DOT COM – 43.5 – R MANGALEE, 6. FRESH HONEY – 46.5 – N SAMAROO, 7. CHANTICLEER – 56.5 – N ABREGO.
RACE 5: (3.05pm) 3 Y.O & OVER OPTIONAL CLAIMING ($6,000 – $5,000) – PURSE $11,000 – 1100 METRES.
1. SHEZABUTE – 49.5 – H EMAMALIE, 2. JUSTICE – 52.5 – R FREEMAN, 3. CONFIRMED – 48.5 – G LABAN, 4. DUCHESS ALICIA – 53.5 – D GAFF, 5. MYSTILE – 51.5 – R RAGOONATH, 6. TOUR D’ARGENT – 47.5 – R THOMAS, 7. TOUCH WOOD – 55.5 – B, HARDING, 8. SPIN N’SQUEEZE – 51.5 – F.RAZACK, 9. JENA’S DELIGHT – 45.5 – N SAMAROO.
RACE 6: (3.40pm) W I BRED 3 Y.O WINNERS & W I BRED 4 Y.O & OVER NON-WINNERS OF THREE RACES – PURSE $21,000 – 1250 METRES.
1. NATURELLY CLASSY – 55.5 – S RODRIGO, 2. ACTUAL LADY – 52.5 – R THOMAS, 3. SWEET LAURA LEE – 48 – R MANGALEE, 4. BAGGY GREEN – 52.5 – N SAMAROO, 5. LOUD MUSIC – 55 – J ARNEAUD, 6. GOLDEN HONOUR – 55.5 – V CHARLES, 7. LADY ROSSIE – 53.5 – R JADOO, 8. HYARIMA – 50 – N ABREGO, 9. FRANCESCA – 56.5 – B HARDING.
RACE 7: (4.15pm) 3 Y.O & OVER OPTIONAL CLAIMING ($10,500 – $8,500) – PURSE $18,000 – 1200 METRES.
1. NOT TO WORRIE – 48.5 – G.LABAN, 2. I’M NO HUNTER – 44.5 – F RAZACK 3. HILLSIDE SYMPHONY – 53.5 – C MARQUEZ, 4. LOVELY PEARL – 53.5 – R FREEMAN, 5. SINGINGINTHEWIND – 49.5 – R.RAGOONATH, 6. PEACE CONSORT – 55.5 – B HARDING, 7. STORMING WIND – 52.5 – R JADOO, 8. GROOMSMAN – 55.5 – N.ABREGO, 9. DIGITAL ALARM – 55.5 – J ARNEAUD, 10. ULA – 50.5 – R RAJKUMAR.
RACE 8: (4.50pm) W I BRED 3 Y.O MAIDENS – PURSE $22,000 – 1100 METRES.
1. TWIST N’YURN – 44.5 – R FREEMAN, 2. SERAH’S TRICK – 44.5 – G LABAN, 3. SMALL AXE – 44.5 – R RAGOONATH, 4. NEVER EVER WORRIE – 53.5 – W BHARATH, 5. EL PRESIDENTE – 46.5 – C MARQUEZ, 6. CHEERLEADER – 44.5 – R RAJKUMAR, 7. YOU’VE GOT MAIL – 55.5 – R JADOO, 8. TRAVEL AGENT – 56.5 – N ABREGO, 9. ROYAL MADRID – 52.5 – R THOMAS, 10. TORA BORA – 52.5 – B HARDING, 11. COPY CAT – 46.5 – R.SINGH, 12. HOLLLYWOOD STAR – 52.5 – H.EMAMALIE.
RACE 9: (5.25pm) 3 Y.O & OVER OPTIONAL; CLAIMING ($20,000 – $16,000) – PURSE $20,000 – 1750 METRES.
1. BOUND TO FLY – 52.5 – H EMAMALIE, 2. JOINT VENTURE – 49.5 – R RAJKUMAR, 3. EL GUERROUJ – 50.5 – N ABREGO, 4. TRICKY GUY – 52.5 – C MARQUEZ, 5. INDIAN DECISION – 53.5 – R THOMAS, 6. LIFE IN RUSSIA – 53.5 – K BISSOON, 7. NEW STAR – 52.5 – N.HARDING, 8. SQUEE ZINTRU – 51.5 – G LABAN, 9. CITY OF LIGHTS – 47.5 – S.RODRIGO.
RACE 10: (5.50pm) STARTER ALLOWANCE – W I BRED 3 Y.O WINNERS & IMPORTED 3 Y.O & OVER – PURSE $23,000 – 1200 METRES.
1. SPLITTING IMAGE – 49.5 – R JADOO, 2. CHAMPAGNE WAGER – 56.5 – S RODRIGO, 3. GOLD CONVEYOR – 51.5 – B HARDING, 4. THE GUV’NOR – 49.5 – R RAJKUMAR, 5. PUNTO A PUNTO – 53.5 – W BHARATH, 6. ISLE BE TRUE – 53.5 – H.EMAMALIE, 7. PHANTOM MENACE – 53.5 – V CHARLES, 8. LOVELY HONOREE – 51.5 – C MARQUEZ, 9. SQUEEZED MOMENT – 51.5 – G.LABAN.

TRINIDAD and Tobago’s top road cyclist Emile Abraham will be back to defend his title in the five-stage Tobago Cycling Classic from September 18 to 21.

Abraham is currently campaigning on the professional circuit in the United States but has confirmed his participation with organisers of the gruelling event in his homeland. Details of the participants were revealed recently by Glenda Camps who is the Public Relations Officer of the event which this year is expected to cost close to $300,000. Camps, wife of former national road champion Robert Camps said organisers have approached corporate sponsors who have indicated a willingness to underwrite the event. Apart from Abraham, the reigning national champion, Guyanese-born Stephen Mangroo together with Michael Als are also expected back from Belgium where they have been riding semi-professionally. Another rider who is expected to lead the local challenge is promising youngster Sheldon King who lives in Tobago.

Camps said that this year promises to see the biggest and best Tobago Cycling Classic ever with more participants and better incentives for the outsanding riders. Already 20 overseas contingents have accepted invitations to participate and Camps has not ruled out the inclusion of several more. The race pedals off on Thursday, September 18 after an opening ceremony and technical briefing at Crown Point Hotel. At 1.05 pm a two-lap 40km circuit race will engage unregistered riders, women and tinymites, almost simultaneously with the first stage of the International/Open event, a 120km five-lap circuit race. On Friday, September 19, from 6.30 am, unregistered riders, women and tinymites compete in an 18-kilometre road race while their International/Open counterparts match wheels in a 18-kilometre time trial aproximately 30 minutes later.

In the afternoon, unregistered bikers, women and tinymites take to the road in a three-lap 20km circuit race; while the Internatio-nal/Open wheelsmen tackle a 20-lap 140km circuit grind almost simultaneously. Saturday’s fourth stage is a seven-lap 150km circuit race leading to the final event, the climactic Tour of Tobago 120km road race from 8 am on Sunday. Prize distribution function will be staged on Sunday afternoon at the Crown Point Hotel. Also there will be a get-together of cyclists, officials, sponsors, supporters and friends on the Crown Point Hotel Grounds on Saturday evening.

The overseas teams are: Aire Valley Racing Team (England); Anguilla National Team (Anguilla); Barbados National Team (Barbados); Bouwelse Wielervrienden (Belgium); Dynamo Tirol (Austria); Espoir Cycliste Ducossais (Martinique); Innsbrucker Schwalben (Austria); Midwekk Racing Club (Canada); National Capital Velo Club (USA); Orlando Velo Cycling Team (USA); Randall Cycling Team (Canada); St Lucia National Team (St Lucia); St Vincent National Team (St Vincent); Team Aerospace Engineering/Toshiba (USA); Team Excelsior (Guadeloupe); Webcor Cycling Team (USA); Curacao National Team (Curacao); Puerto National Team (Puerto Rico); Guyana National Team (Guyana); US Combine Team.