NORTH EAST Stars will be looking to steal a spot in next week’s final of the First Citizens Bank (FCB) Cup if they can avoid defeat at the hands of W Connection today.

Victory or a draw at least for NE Stars in their second leg semi-final clash at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo from 6 pm will send the Sangre Grande-based team into their first major national football final in the club’s history. At the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva on Wednesday last, the Stars outfit staged a come-from-behind 2-1 triumph over Connection courtesy a late double from Carey Harris. If, at the end of 90 minutes, Connection hold a one-goal lead, today’s match will either be decided by sudden-death golden goal or kicks from the penalty spot. But the consistent Stars looked ragged and lethargic during their 5-2 loss to CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh in the TT Pro League, also at the Hasely Crawford Stadium last Saturday.

Connection will be trying to prevent an upset today, and will have their eyes on the prolific strikers Randolph Jerome and Anthony Wolfe, as well as midfielders Harris and veteran Kendall Velox. Connection’s manager Raymond McLean noted that preparations have been “good” ahead of today’s battle. “Our backs are against the wall but we know that’s the time when we’re at our most dangerous,” said McLean. “We’re really intent on winning the match.”

The Connection squad, under new coach Leroy “Spanner” Spann, are grappling with injuries to stoppers Rawle Fletcher and Addison Belfon, as well as St Kitts’ striker George Isaac. But McLean is adamant that “whatever squad we put (on the field) we’ll be able to do the job.” Jabloteh will enter today’s confrontation against Joe Public, at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar, with a 3-0 cushion following their first leg match-up at Mucurapo. With midfielders Kerry Baptiste and Otis Seaton as well as strikers Cornell Glen and Kerry Noray in excellent form, Jabloteh, the season’s lone unbeaten team, will feel secured of guaranteeing a spot in next week’s title decider. But “the Eastern Lions” will not roll over and play dead. According to coach Ron La Forest, “We had a wonderful workout (yesterday) morning at the Centre of Excellence and the team is in nice spirits.”

BEAUTIFUL MIND is showing great form on the gallops, as trainers got their charges ready for next Friday’s Emancipation Day programme.

The Glenn Mendez—trained colt sprinted 1000 metres in the good time of 1:07.1 seconds at Santa Rosa Park, Arima, yesterday morning. On Monday, the Kdanzc/Mindset offspring went over 400 metres in 29.9 seconds. Not many of those engaged in the classic Oaks Stakes over 2000 metres were seen out yesterday. But Sweet Tempo was seen breezing over 1200 metres in 1:15.3 seconds, following another handy run over 1000 metres in 1:14.9 seconds on Monday. Creme Caramel was sent over 800 metres which she comnpleted in 59.9 seconds. Wild Life, another challenger for the Oaks, stepped 800 metres in 59.9 seconds yesterday. Phantom Bidder showed he is coming back to his best for the President’s Cup over 1900 metres with a good “burn out” over 1000 metres done in 1:11.8 seconds yesterday. The charge of champion trainer John O’Brien was sent over 600 metres on Monday, returning in 44.9 seconds for the run. Another O’Brien runner Millenium Reign was seen pacing over 1000 metres in 1:14.9 seconds yesterday. And last year’s Derby winner took it easy over 400 metres in 29.9 seconds on Monday morning.

Here are the gallops recorded yesterday:
400 METRES —  DUE DILLIGENCE — 29.9; SPEEDFUHSO — 29.9; RUNNING TRICK — 29.5.
600 METRES —  VAN NISTELROOY — 44.7.
800 METRES — BONUS POINT — 56.6; CREME CARAMEL — 59.9; JENA’S DELIGHT — 59.9;  MOVIETOWNE MAGIC — 54.5;  LOVELY PEARL  — 50.1; RING DANG DO — 59.9; WILD LIFE —59.9.
1000 METRES — BEAUTIFUL MIND — 1:07.1; MILLENIUM REIGN —1:14.9; PHANTOM BIDDER — 1:11.8; SUPER GREY —1:14.9; TWIST ‘N’ TURN —1:05.3.
1200 METRES — LIFE IN RUSSIA —1:19.0; SIR VIDIA — 1:19.0; SWEET TEMPO — 1:15.3Good.

Monday’s gallops:
400 METRES — BEAUTIFUL MIND 29.9; COPY CAT — in 29.9; GETTESBURG — 27.7; MILLENIUM REIGN —29.9.
600 METRES — MOVIETOWNE MAGIC —  43.0; PHANTOM BIDDER — 44.9; TEA TIME DOC — 40.2; ULA Paced — 44.9.
800 METRES — GOLDEN BOY — 59.9; UNCLE JOE — 59.9; RUNNING TRICK —  59.9.
1000 METRES — SIR VIDIA — 1:12.9; SWEET TEMPO—  1:14.9.
1200 METRES  —  BONUS POINT —  1:20.5; HOLLYWOOD STAR —  1:20.5.

BRIDGETOWN:  Jamaican trainer Andrew Nunes has two entries in next month’s United Insurance Barbados Derby at the Garrison Savannah race track.

Jamaica-bred Restless Rullah and Royal Deputy, from the Nunes barn, are among 11 horses nominated in the final subscription stage for the August 9 Barbados Derby. Royal Deputy, a chestnut colt, by Royal Minister out of Crme de la Crme, finished seventh in the Midsummer Classic, and the bay colt, Restless Rullah, by Forty Mile out of Restless Babe, was a close second in last month’s BNB Pinnacle Home Equity Trophy. Nunes has done well since arriving in Barbados earlier this year to train horses for top owner Sir Charles Williams. He has an impressive strike rate of seven wins from 24 starts, with three second place and two third place finishes.

Midsummer Creole Classic winning filly Sweet Dreams is among the nominations for the 10-furlong event, along with a third Jamaica-bredentry — Royal Red, trained by Naz Issa. Sweet Dreams is the race favourite after her win in the Midsummer Creole Classic, and a close second place finish — to Kandahar — in the Easter Guineas. Other top entries include Cat Attack, who was third in the Guineas and second in the Midsummer Classic, Ginger Bay, and Lubricator. 

MUCH NEEDS to be done to get the standard of local professional boxing where it should be. This is the opinion of international match-maker Buxo Potts following a pro-am card two weeks ago at the Chaguanas Indoor Sports Facility at Saith Park.

The card was staged by Cosmic Promotions of Marabella and Chaguanas-based Fine Line Kickboxing Gym. It was the first professional presentation in the local ring for over a year. Potts said yesterday that he sees the future of boxing in the potential of the female fighters as evidenced in the bout between world ranked featherweight Ria Ramnarine and 19-year-old Vicki Boodram. Ramnarine, a 24-year-old plant operator of Carapichaima pounded out a six-round decision against Boodram who was making her debut in the professional ranks. She is preparing for a rematch with Guyanese Shondelle Alfred on August 29 and looked in top shape against a game Boodram, who is trained by her father. However Potts came away more impressed with Boodram and predicted a bright future ahead once she receives the benefit of sound training techniques and is groomed properly to afford her the best opportunities to gain experience. “Boodram is articulate, well spoken and educated. She is in peak physical condition and will pose serious challenges to opponents in the future once she stays on course with her training programme,” said Potts. He hinted that Boodram could feature in a big presentation planned for next month when the leading local female fighters are expected to be brought together on a world championship card.

Potts said Trinidad and Tobago welterweight champion Floyd Trumpet, though stopping his stand-in opponent Shurwyne Marshall in the fifth round of their eight-round encounter needs to sharpen his skills. “He was definitely rusty after a long period of inactivity.  So he must do better in future bouts. Trumpet should win decisively and not make heavy weather as he did against the Barbadian,” said Potts yesterday. He pointed out that Trumpet, a Cunupia, Central Trinidad postie must concentrate on his footwork and jabbing and not get enmeshed in a brawl to beat his opponent. Potts, a former jockey, said the star of the night in his opinion was Guyanese “bulldozer” Leon Moore who pounded out an eighth round knockout against his Trinidadian opponent, Jesse Osbourne. It was the eighth knockout in as many fights for Moore who Potts said will soon win a world title fight after he progresses through the ranks of North American Boxing Association (NABA) and FedaLatin regional championships. “He has won five of his bouts in the first round; two in the second and one in the fifth to prove what a devastating boxer he is,” said Potts. The match-maker said he has at least four opponents lined up for Moore including Craig Storm, Percy Bailey, Joseph Charles and Ulric Johnson. “They are all worthy opponents to give Moore the preparation he needs to tackle the best in the division,” said Potts. An entertaining feature of the night was a kickboxing match which quickly descended into a pushing and shoving match. When one fighter took the microphone and issued a challenge to his oponent the bout heated up and produced a classic grappling contest which was well received by the fans until the referee intervened. Potts said as the cards become more regular the fighters will be better prepared to give an improved account of themselves. The action continues on Saturday with a card promoted by Phoenix Kickboxing Gym and Cosmic Promotions at Barrackpore Senior Comprehensive from 7 pm.

Kickboxing –
Nick Boodram (Pheonix) vs Balraj Harry (Zion Club) – 135 pounds.
Richard Boodram (Phoenix) vs Richi Ramnarine (Al Kilarie) – 132 pounds.
Bradley Samdeo (Kalahari) vs Shazam Khan (Al Kilarie) – 140 pounds.
David Bopraj (Phoenix) vs Fazal Ali (Panthers) – 120 pounds.
Amateur boxing –
Crystal Lessey (Phoenix) vs Adafie Hall (White Eagle) – 152 pounds.
Leanna Boodram (Phoenix) vs Macelina Logie (Sand City) – 109 pounds.
Kessie Lessey (Phoenix) vs Avalon Ollivierre (Sand City) – 115 pounds.
Manhau Noray (YTC) vs Joseph Straker (Sand City) – 154 pounds.

Charles “Charlo” Guillen, coach of the champion National League Division One cricket club, Ceramic Trinidad Merryboys, has been praised from president of the club Patrick Rampersad.

This after the the Diego Martin club won the prestigious “Club of the Year” title at the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) 47th annual prize giving ceremonyon Saturday. “We at Ceramic Merryboys Cricket Club are extremely delighted to have won this award. There are a lot of people who made this dream a reality but I would specially like to single out the coach Charles ‘Charlo’ Guillen,” said Rampersad. Guillen, formerly of Queen’s Park Cricket Club, took over the coaching job from former Trinidad and Tobago player, Claude Phillip after the season got underway and was still able to take the team to the title — their second successive championship. “We have a lot of talent at the club and what ‘Charlo’ has done is not just coach the players on technique but a lot more. During his stint as head coach he did a lot of strategic planning and this I think made the difference to our club,” Rampersad said.

Guillen was coach of the North Zone British Gas Under-15 team for a couple of seasons before picking up the job at Merryboys. Rampersad said he is confident Guillen will be retained by the club for the 2004 season when they hope to make it a hat-trick of victories. “We are definitely going for the hat-trick in 2004 and this will be great for the development of cricket in the Diego Martin area. This team have brought the crowds in Diego Martin back to cricket and we are definitely going to make the village happy with another win.” Rampersad, who is also an executive member of the TTCB and a former prolific opener for the Patna club, added that one goal the club will really push for next year is to win one of the elusive one-day titles. “We reached the finals on six occasions in the different tournaments and have failed to win the Cup. “Next time around we are really aiming to give our supporters something to cheer about at Guaracara Park. Too many times they have made the trip to the southern ground for the finals only to be turned back,” he promised.

CHAMPIONS St Clair’s Coaching School escaped a concerted second half rally to edge arch-rivals Stokelyvale 4-3 to remain at the head of the standings in the Warner’s Group of Companies-sponsored Tobago Football Association Semi-Professional League.

Warren Phillip gave Vale the lead from the penalty spot after 15 minutes of Sunday’s match at the Dwight Yorke Stadium, Bacolet, Tobago, but Kareem Robley put Coaching School level in the 19th with a well-placed shot. Kirsh Spencer put Coaching School ahead in the 29th minute before Darron Toby increased the lead in the 33rd. Robley blasted in his second goal of the match in the 42nd minute to give Coaching School a 4-1 half-time lead. On the resumption, Vale made a resolute surge in an effort to at least grab a point, but came up just short. Curtis Job, last season’s leading goalscorer rifled in a shot in the 52nd minute to reduce the scoreline. And when Darren Williams lashed in his shot after 54 minutes there were shock waves in the Coaching School camp, but they managed to hold on for the victory.

In the earlier match at the same venue, Charlotteviller Unifiers and 1976 FC Phoenix XS drew 2-2. Selvon Turner gave Phoenix the lead and Brent Cruickshank extended that lead only for Unifiers to strike back forcibly. Kevon Murphy reduced the scores before Gregory Davis got the equaliser for Unifers to grab a point and secure their unbeaten run of five matches during which they have won three.

SAMBA Xtra Malt East San Juan United danced their way to the top of the standings in the race for the Arthur “Jap” Brown Trophy in the Eastern Football Association when they grounded out a 2-1 victory over Carib FC.

Curt Cudjoe and Brent Edwards were the heroes of Saturday’s match on the Aranguez Savannah. Bernard McCall got the consolation for the Brewery Boys. But the San Juan team missed the chance of pulling clear when they stunned by Hearty Food Bulls 2-0 on Wednesday last at the St Joseph Recreation Ground in a re-scheduled match on goals by Mark Ramkhellawan and Adrian Nunez. Crab Connection shut out JGS Maloney Two Touch with goals by Christian Freitas and Irvin Trim at the Maloney Recreation ground, to keep up their chase for the title just two points behind the leaders with a match in hand.

Police, who whipped BM Spurs 3-1 on Wednesday last with a Sean Rosales double and the other from Sean McLetchie, came back on Saturday to hold defending champions WASA Clean and White to a 1-1 draw. McLetchie was again the goalscorer for the lawmen, while Kien Hernandez got the equaliser for the champions. TSTT swamped East/West Coaching School 5-0 at Five Rivers, with Marvin Lee scoring a hat-trick and Don Endeavour and Quesi Thomas getting the other goals. And Delta Glass Young Hearts scored only their second victory when they stopped Athletico Sports Institute 2-1. Roger Phillip and Henry Fabien scored for the winners, while Clint Raymond got the goal for ASI.

Scores in the Under-13 Division: CRUZ INTERNATIONAL (7) vs BARATARIA BALL PLAYERS (2); NATIONAL FLOUR MILLS (6) vs JOE PUBLIC (1); MEMPHIS (2) vs ARIMA BALL MASTERS (2); ARIMA UNITED (3) vs 1ST SANTA ROSA FC (1).
Under-20 Division – CREEK SPORTS won by default over ATHLETICO SPORTS INSTITUTE; TRINCITY NATIONALS (1) vs BEST WARRIORS FC 200 (0); YTC (2) vs SHOCKING VIBES (1).

GEORGETOWN: Hosts Guyana and Barbados evenly shared six titles as the Caribbean Junior Squash championship ended its individual competition at the Georgetown Club on Monday night.

Damien Da Silva, Andrea King and Christine King triumphed for the Guyanese while Barbados celebrated wins for Bryan Cumberbatch, Bo Harris and Cherri-Ann Parris. Da Silva survived a five-set struggle with Stanley Marcus in an all Guyanese final to win the Boys Under-17 title 6-9, 9-3, 7-9, 9-4, 9-4. Andrea King got past her teammate Tifanny Solomon in five sets for the Girls Under-19 crown, and Kristina King topped Barbadian Nadia McCarthy 9-5, 9-5, 9-1 for the Girls Under-17 title.

Cumberbatch snatched his fifth Caribbean title when he turned back Jamaican Chris Binnie 9-0, 9-6, 9-4 in the Boys Under-15 final.
Barbados collected their other titles when Harris, who had stopped Jamaica’s Kristina Bell in Sunday’s “semis”, beat Bermuda’s Laura Robinson 9-6, 9-1, 7-9, 9-4 in the Girls Under-15 final, and Parris defeated Daina King of Guyana 9-4, 9-4, 9-4 for the Girls Under-13 crown.

Bermuda’s James Stout and Alain Mudeen, of the Cayman Islands, copped the other titles at stake. Stout cruised past Guyana’a Gerard Greaves 9-0, 9-0, 9-0 in the Boys Under-19 final, and Mudeen outplayed Trinidadian Justin Sanguenetti 9-6, 9-7, 9-2 for the Boys Under-13 crown.