Ventures Hockey Club will host an indoor hockey tournament from Thursday, July 24 to Sunday 27 at the Chinese Association in St Ann’s.

Purpose of the tournament is to enhance the standard of the sport in Trinidad and Tobago. This tournament follows up the successful 75th anniversary indoor tournament held last year also hosted by Ventures. All teams taking part will be presented tomorrow at 6 pm at the Chinese Association Hall at a briefing.

Former West Indies dashing middle order batsman and current coach Augustine Logie will be formally made a lifetime member of the prestigious Marelybone Cricket Club (MCC).

This was revealed by the new regional Test coach at the 47th prize giving ceremony of the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) at the Bureau of Standards at Macoya on Saturday night. “Only today I received an e-mail from the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) informing me that I have been offered a lifetime membership by the famed MCC,” the pint-size Logie said. “The release further stated that I must reply if I agree to certain conditions. They wanted me to inform as to whether I am prepared to stop playing any First-Class cricket. This is one of the criteria for the post. I immediately replied and told them that I have no interest in playing any  First-Class cricket and will be honoured to be a full-time life member of the MCC,” he said. Logie joked that after witnessing the likes of Keith Arthurton playing in the domestic league he wanted to reply to the MCC and let them know that he would be playing cricket for a while longer.

Logie was appointed coach of the WI team last week after guiding the team to a series win over Sri Lanka. At the beginning of the home series Logie was made assistant coach when the regional Cricket Board (WICB) informed the public that Australian Bennet King was going to assume the role of head coach. When King declined, Logie assumed the position in an acting post for the twin series against the world champions Australia and Sri Lanka. He started off badly against the Australians, losing the first three Tests but was compensated with a world record win in the final Test in Antigua. The West Indies were also able to win three consecutive One-Day Internation-als against the visitors and this propelled them to fourth in the ICC world rankings. The West Indies then lost to Sri Lanka 2-1 in the One-Day Internationals before taking the Test series 1-0.

TWO GOALS by national striker Kendall Davis and one apiece from Jefferson Goulart and George Isaac gave W Connection a 4-1 triumph over the winless Tobago United at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva yesterday.

Garth Woodley gave the Tobagonians a shock 10th minute lead by playmaker Goulart levelled the scores for Connection 12 minutes later. Prolific St Kitts’ striker Isaac scored in the 37th minute and Davis’ double, in the 53rd and 67th, ensured that Connection narrowed the gap with CL Financial San Juan Jabloteh. Jabloteh, who trounced North East Stars 5-2 on Saturday, are atop the ten-team standings with 28 points, with Connection five points adrift. South Starworld Strikers jumped to fourth on the table with a 4-0 hammering of “The Stallions” Caledonia AIA at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium, Marabella. Kester Cornwall opened the scoring for the hosts in the 31st while midfielder Marc Borde’s 42nd minute strike gave Starworld a 2-0 halftime cushion. Cornwall netted his second four minutes after the restart, with national midfielder Dale Saunders completing the rout in stoppage time.

At the Marvin Lee Stadium, Macoya, Joe Public recorded their eighth draw in 11 matches after a 1-1 stalemate against a plucky South West Institute of Football (SWIF) outfit. Ex-national defender Derek King, unmarked in the penalty box, glanced his header wide of the mark from a Sterling O’Brien freekick after six minutes, while former TT striker Peter Prosper skied his left-footer overbar from a Bevon Lewis feed in the 27th. But the “Eastern Lions” got on the scoresheet in the 32nd, when Ochieng Abosi met a Densil Theobald freekick and planted his header past the SWIF goalkeeper Andy Dean. King failed to extend Joe Public’s lead in the 43rd, scooping his penalty high after Theobald was brought down by SWIF defender Kelvin Hernandez. King and his teammates were made to pay for that error two minutes later when Prosper, who recently joined SWIF following a lengthy professional stint in Lebanon, evaded defender Seon Power and, with goalie Michael McComie at his mercy, buried his right footer home.

UNDER-20 RESULTS –
JOE PUBLIC (2) – Terrence McAllister 35th, Lincoln Brown 40th vs SWIF (1) – Warren Andrews 12th.
W CONNECTION (4) vs TOBAGO UNITED (2).
STARWORLD STRIKERS (1) vs CALEDONIA AIA (1).

STANDINGS
Senior
	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
San Juan Jabloteh	10	9	1	0	35	8	28
W Connection	10	7	2	1	24	9	23
Defence Force	10	6	0	4	17	18	18
Starworld Strikers	10	5	2	3	21	12	17
North East Stars	11	5	2	4	16	15	17
Joe Public	11	2	8	1	14	15	14
SWIF	11	2	5	4	16	21	11
Caledonia AIA	11	1	3	7	8	21	6
Arima Fire	10	1	3	6	6	19	6
Tobago United	10	0	2	8	3	23	2

Fighting back agonising knee pains, the heroic pair of Justin Siu and Earnesto Dean brought glory to Trinidad and Tobago when they whipped Surinamese rivals Randy Wakiran and Dino Kappel 15-8, 15-13 to claim the CAREBACO Under-17 doubles gold medal on Saturday at the Jean Pierre Complex, Mucurapo.

Siu injured his right knee in his semi-final singles clash with Mexican Alexandro Reyes on Friday. He lost in a thrilling three-setter at 13-15, 15-9, 9-15 while Dean, suffered a similar fate against Reyes’ compatriot Jose Gonzalez in the other singles “semi.” But the Cri-Stars Badminton and Presentation College (Chaguanas) players defied the odds and writhing pains to capture the coveted gold, which was TT’s major success in the individual events. TT also collected silver through the efforts of national Under-17 singles champion Vikie Singh and her doubles partner Nekeisha Blake who together committed too many unforced errors and did not display smooth coordination as they bowed 10-15, 6-15 to the Mexican pair of Naty DeLaRangel and Rosina Nunes in the girls’ doubles gold medal match. The Mexicans showed their dominance in the Under-15 category when Rangel took the Girls Unde- 17 triple crown by beating her partner (Nunes) 11-7, 11-2 in the singles final. Then she teamed up with the new boys’ Under-17 champion, Jose Rodriguez to take the mixed doubles title with 15-4, 11-15, 15-4 victory over Jamaica’s Vishnu Tolan and Tracy Morgan. Gonzalez took care of Reyes at 15-10 and 15-3.

However, pride of place went to the immensely talented Surinamese junior pair of Mitchell Wongsodikromo and Stephanie Jadi who overall emerged as the undisputed triple-crowned Under-19 champions. It was a familiar pattern to what transpired in the Under-17s. While the Mexicans captured four of the five gold in the Under-17s, powerhouse Suriname contingent proved more versatile and devastating in the Under-19s and captured all five golds at stake. Pride of place went to Mitchell Wongsodikromo who dethroned his compatriot and doubles partner Virgil Soeroredjo. The latter ruled the roost over the years in the singles category. Together they whipped the Jamaican pair of Kasif Bernard and Kirk Francis 15-12, 15-6 in the Under-19 doubles final. Wongsodikromo and the impressive Jadi combined took the mixed doubles gold with a comfortable 15-10, 15-9 victory over Soeroredjo and Sefania Esajas. Jadi also covered herself in glory with the triple crown. Before the mixed doubles victory, she won the singles title by trouncing Barbados champion Shari Watson 11-2, 11-5. Then she partnered Esajas in the girls doubles and stopped the valiant Barbadian duo of Watson and Shakeira Waite at 10-15, 15-13, 15-9. Jamaica took top honours in Under-13 category and shared it with Suriname in the Under-15 age group.

CAREBACO Junior Results
UNDER 19
Boys Singles: Gold- MITCHELL WONGSODIKROMO (Suriname) beat Virgil Soerordedjo (Suriname) 15-2, 9-15, 15-11.
Girls Singles: Gold- STEPHANIE JADI (Suriname) beat Shari Watson (Barbados) 11-2, 11-5.
Boys Doubles: Gold- MITCHELL WONGSODIKROMO and VIRGIL SOEROREDJO (Suriname) beat Kasif Bernard and Kirk Francis (Jamaica) 15-12, 15-6.
Girls Doubles: Gold- STEPHANIE JADI and SEFANIA ESAJAS (Suriname) beat Shari Watson and Shakeira Waite (Barbados) 10-15, 15-13, 15-9.
Mixed Doubles: Gold- WONGSODIKROMO and JADI (Suriname) beat Soeroredjo and Esajas (Suriname) 15-10, 15-9.
UNDER 17
Boys Singles: Gold- JOSE GONZALEZ (Mexico) beat Alexandro Reyes (Mexico) 15-10, 15-3.
Girls Singles: Gold- Naty DeLaRangel (Mexico) beat Rosina Nunes (Mexico) 11-7, 11-2.
Boys Doubles: Gold- JUSTIN SIU and EARNESTO DEAN (Trinidad and Tobago) beat Randy Wakiran and Dino Kappel (Suriname) 15-8, 15-13.
Girls Doubles: Gold- NATY DeLa RANGEL and ROSINA NUNES (Mexico) beat Vikie Singh and Nekeiska Blake (Trinidad and Tobago) 15-10, 15-6.
Mixed Doubles: Gold- GONZALES and DeLa RANGEL (Mexico) beat Vishnu Tolan and Tracy Morgan (Jamaica) 15-4, 11-15, 15-4.
UNDER 15
Boys Singles: Gold- JOVAN BROWN (Jamaica) won by default from Nicholas Reifer (Barbados).
Girls Singles: Gold- XAVIRA JONS (Suriname) beat Gaelle Jones (Suriname) 11-5, 11-7.
Boys Doubles: Gold- JOVAN BROWN and RICHARD BLAKE (J’ca) beat Chadwick Parsons and Ryan Blake (J’ca) 15-12, 15-12.
Girls Doubles: Gold- XAVIRA JONS and GAELLE JONES (Suriname) beat Kerri Wong ChewOnn and Sherece Scaff (J’ca) 15-1,15-4.
Mixed Doubles: Gold- JOVAN BROWN and SHERECE SCAFF (J’ca) won by default from Nicholas Reifer and Shenelle Peart (B’dos).
UNDER 13.
Boys Singles: Gold- GARETH HENRY (Jca) beat Kyle Wong ChewOnn (J’ca) 15-3, 15-6.
Boys Doubles: Gold- GARETH HENERY and KYLE WONG CHEW-ONN (J’ca) beat J. Smith (J’ca) and D. Darmohaetomo (Suriname) 15-0, 15-10.

Invincibility and Sugar Mike showed off their blinding speed to take honours on the gallops course at Santa Rosa Park, Arima yesterday.

The Grant Lourenco-trained pair, enjoying the ground conditions made sloppy by early morning showers, opened their trottles from the 1000 metres marker in the backstretch and clung to each other to the winning line. Their efforts saw them posting the impressive time of one minute :95 seconds to be best on time for the distance. Full Of Promises, who will be seen out next in the Oaks Stakes on Emanicpation Day (August 1), was another looking in top shape. The Harold Chadee three-year-old, working the same route in company with Golden Shufleur, was allowed a slight lead, which he kept before the clock was stopped in 1:02.25 at the winning post. The fast fractions set seemed to take its toll on the youngster in the closing stages, where his American companion, who has a grade one victory on his resume, seemed to be just warming up. Easter Guineas and Midsummer Classic winner Top Of The Class was also out on the morning. The Glen Mendez inmate, who is expected to have a preparatory run before his attempt at the triple crown in September, also relished the underfoot conditions.

Under a tender ride by Ricardo Jadoo, the Rupert Leong Poi-owned colt posted 50.67 seconds to attain the only “good” in the remarks column of the Arima Race Club official clocker’s report for the 800 metres distance. Sunny, whose front-running tactics paid dividends last time, showed he is in good nick at present. The bay gelding from Rickhi Sinanan barn recorded 36.26 seconds over the last 600 metres of the course to be best on times for the distance. Splitting Image and Undisputed went a shade slower (36.55) in their spin over the same ground, on which Ballybunion registered 37.01. Miss Beautiful, working from the 1000 metres marker posted 36.50 seconds for the first 600 before flatening out up the stretch. Following are yesterday’s recorded gallops.

400 METRES: Ex Champagne Wishes and Ex Silver Symphony – 29.99, pacing. J-Lo and Atlantic Breeze – 25.29, handily. Isle Be There – 28.91, pacing. Speedfuhso – 29.15, pacing.
Mucho Tempo and Ex Let’s Get Cracking – 25.55, handily. Ex Rio Rita – 27.12, handily. Ex Wang Junxia and River Mist – 29.92, pacing.

600 METRES: Sunny – 36.27, good. My Aphrodite – 40.59, handily. Honor Bound – 37.36, good. Undisputed and Splitting Image – 36.55, good , Splitting Image better. Bound To Fly – 43.17, pacing. Preffered Share – 42.01, pacing. Game High – 40.35, handily. Miss Beautiful – 36.50, good. Ballybunion – 37.01, good. Millenium Reign – 44.81, pacing. Cornerstone – 44.93, pacing. Serah’s Trick – 39.42, handily. Fortunate Flag – 40.54, handily. Storming Wind – 44.78, pacing. Chief Of Staff – 41.39, pacing. Juan The Man – 38.55, handily.

800 METRES: Top Of The Class – 50.67, good. Dunsborough – 59.36, pacing. Silk Runner – 54.89, handily. The Chairman and Panama Canal – 51.77, handily. Lady Croft and Guatama – 51.63, handily. Bank Account – 59.93, pacing. 

1000 METRES: Invincibility and Sugar Mike- 1:00.95, good. Tactical Bid – 1:07.40, handily. Dottie’s Way – 1:09.18, handily. Super Grey – 1:04.24, handily. Kalyan – 1:07.71, handily. X To Board – 1:12.30, pacing. Full Of Promises and Golden Shufleur – 100.95, good. 1:02.25, good. Napoleon – 1:12.03, pacing.

1200 METRES: Skye 0- 1:25.11, pacing. Fantastic Lad – 1:21.05, handily. Twist N’ Turn – 1:23.46, handily. 

IT IS HARD to disagree with Bob Perrin that Plantations Beach and Golf Resort is one of the most spectacular developments in this part of the world.

Set on 750-acres of prime Tobago real estate bounded by the Caribbean Sea and the Petit Trou Lagoon, the venture is owned by Guardian Life of the Caribbean Limited and Angostura. At the centre of the maginificent master-plan for Plantations is an 18-hole 7,000-yard, par 72 championship golf course, one of the most beautiful in the Caribbean. But according to Perrin, there are other jewels in the Plantations crown which, in the coming years, will quickly rival the golf course as the major attraction at Lowlands. Perrin, a Trinidadian who has made the hotel industry a career, is now retired but has been contracted as a consultant with Plantations Beach and Golf Resort. They are extremely fortunate to have the services of Perrin who grew up in Carapichaima in Central Trinidad when his father was in charge of the Transport Department of Caroni Limited, then the major sugar producing company in Trinidad and Tobago. He started off at the Holiday Inn at Wrightson Road, Port-of-Spain (now Crowne Plaza) three decades ago and has spent the last 20 years in Canada at top hotels in Ottawa and London, Ontario.

Perrin has had the benefit of experiencing both sides of the hospitality coin — at hotels catering mainly for the business sector in Canada; and the leisure and tourist related service industry in the Caribbean, not only in Trinidad but also in Jamaica. So when he says he is extremely impressed with what has been going on at Plantations, one does not take his opinion lightly. Perrin, late last week, was one of the hosts of a tour of the facility where it buzzed with construction activity in the property development phase of the operation. And although the golf course is the shining light of the project, which is being developed in several phases, Perrin points to the great potential for other sports and leisure activities in the near future.

At the Petit Trou Lagoon, which several years ago was a serious bone of contention that led to acrimonious battles between environmentalists and the real estate developers, prior to Plantations coming in, the scene is set for an explosion of lifestyle related promotions. “It is the ideal spot for boating, sailing, kayaking and other water sports. These are all activities linked to a healthy lifestyle which we hope will be embraced by the community who will eventually occupy the residential areas of Plantations,” said Perrin. He said there are also plans for a marina and a boatyard which will increase the opportunities for watersports. Perrin said the golf course, which early next month, will shoot into the international spotlight with the staging of the Caribbean Amateur Golf Championships, is well-supported by the ancillary services offered. Top of the list is accommodation which is more than adequately provided by the Hilton Tobago  adjoining Plantations, which has added 200 rooms to the total available in the whole of Tobago. This is not counting the condominium development straddling the golf course. Perrin has been at the helm of an innovative rental plan for the condominiums, dubbed the Sugar Mill Suites, which are all sold out. He explained that the owners are not able to occupy their premises for the better part of the year and if they wish, could have the rooms rented out. “So we have set up a company which will manage this part of the owners’ affairs, collecting rent, paying bills overseeing maintenance and security,” said Perrin.

Manager of the rental services is the gracious Allison Edwards whose office efficiently handles this crucial aspect of the Plantations development. For all appearances the concept has been well-received to the benefit of the home owners, attested to by general manager of Plantations Beach and Golf Resort, Roger Bholai. Perrin indicated that the residential plots have been selling like hot bread with most of the plots close to the Tobago Hilton almost sold out. The next major attraction, he pointed out, are the villa clusters next the Petit Trou Lagoon where construction is apace. The first phase of the “Master Planned Community” comprise 74 condominiums, 50 cluster villas and 58 villa lots. The condominiums are self-contained three and four bedroom units, ranging from 1,694 square feet to 2,402 square feet priced between US $230,000 and $310,000. The cluster villas, two bedroom and two-bathroom units with a large plunge pool over 1,426 square feet start at US $245,000. And the villa lots, approximately half-acre close to the golf course are from US $124,000 and owers have a choice of six villa designs with construction costs from US $373,000.