THE EDITOR: Just imagine a US national and his Trinidadian wife in Tobago looking at their property onwhich they plan to build their home.
Just imagine a random act of kindness, nearly caused their death. Two youths given a lift proceeded to tie up these people, put them in the trunk of their own car, rob them of their money, beat them to disclose their PIN and drive their car to Scarborough to the ATM. Thank God they managed to open the trunk and escape while the car was in motion. The moral of the story is don’t give anyone, anyone, children, old people, handicapped — a lift — that lift may cause you to meet your Maker sooner than you think. Even though “Bethel” is the name of a holy place, don’t trust the area.
ERNESTO ABRAHAM
Federation Park
BRIDGETOWN: West Indies captain Brian Lara hit a determined, unbeaten 64 yesterday, but could not halt Sri Lanka from winning by 55 runs in the opening One Day cricket international.
Lara’s innings was a single-handed effort as the home team was skittled for 146 off 41 overs in reply to Sri Lanka’s total of 201 all out off 48.4 overs. Wicket-keeper Romesh Kaluwitharana topscored with 54 off 75 balls, while all-rounder Kumar Dharmasena chipped in with an important 40 off 54 deliveries to shore up Sri Lanka’s lower order. New ball bowlers Chaminda Vaas and Prabath Nissanka then set the skids under the home team with two early wickets apiece, as the West Indies slipped to 19 for four. Off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan claimed three late wickets to seal the result and earn the “Man of the Match” award. Left-armer Vaas took two for 16 off six overs, while Nissanka claimed two for 27 off six overs. Muralitharan grabbed three for 17 off seven overs.
Wavell Hinds, coming off back-to-back centuries against the Australians, fell in the second over for a duck. The Jamaican was bowled behind his back by Nissanka. Fellow left-hander Gayle also fell without scoring as Vaas gained an edge through to Kaluwitharana. Vaas also claimed Ricardo Powell (5) plumb leg before to an inswinger and Nissanka further silenced the home fans as Ramnaresh Sarwan (8) slapped a catch to short point. Lara and Marlon Samuels (29) added 54 for the fifth wicket to gradually loosen the Sri Lankan grip. But fast bowler Dharshana Gamage, in only his second match, provided a vital strike by removing Samuels. The 22-year-old struck five fours off 38 balls before edging a cut low down to the wicket-keeper. Ridley Jacobs helped Lara put on 32 for the sixth wicket, but Muralitharan’s intervention sparked a lower order slide.
Jacobs (14) sliced a cut to backward point, David Bernard (0) was bowled and Mervyn Dillon top-edged a sweep to short fine leg. In between, Vasbert Drakes was run out by Nissanka’s strong return from long-on as the batsman sought to give Lara back the strike. Lara inspired some optimism in adding 25 with last man Corey Collymore as he farmed the strike. But Collymore could not last the distance and was leg before to part-time off-spinner Tillakaratne Dilshan to end the resistance. Lara was left high and dry after facing 130 balls and stroking four fours. Earlier, fast bowler Dillon, who turned 29 two days ago, struck with the third ball of the match to give West Indies a fine start. Left-hander Sanath Jayasuriya, Sri Lanka’s most experienced batsmen, was ruled caught behind as he drove at a Dillon outswinger.
Kaluwitharana and captain Marvan Atapattu added 46 for the second wicket before off-spinner Samuels halted the blossoming association. Atapattu scooped a return catch back to the bowler after compiling 22 off 36 balls with three fours. The quick loss of Kumar Sangakkara (15), Mahela Jayawardene (8) and Kaluwitharana reduced the visitors to 112 for five in the 29th over. But the level-headed Dilshan and Dharmasena brought some respectability to the innings with an important sixth wicket stand of 59. Dillon was the best of the West Indies bowlers with three for 39 off 9.4 overs. The second of three One Day Internationals is set for today in Barbados.
LIVERPOOL: Former West Indies captain Carl Hooper bowled Lancashire to a handsome 10-wicket victory over Leicestershire in their English County Championship match yesterday.
Hooper’s off-spin earned him a five-wicket haul that helped dislodge Leicestershire for 212 in their second innings, and Lancashire — set 24 runs to win — eased to victory at 24 without loss on the stroke of lunch time. Following on after their first innings reply of 314 fell well short of Lancashire’s 503 for six declared, Leicestershire resumed at 130 for five and were only able to add 82 runs to their total. Hooper, who had picked up three wickets the previous afternoon, added top-scorer Darren Maddy and David Brignull (6) to his victims’ list yesterday to end with impressive figures of five for 52 off 26.4 overs. Maddy (48) advanced down the track to Hooper, but was beaten in the flight to leave the Leicestershire batsman stranded as Warren Hegg completed the stumping. Hooper bowled Brignull to finish the match and complete a fine allround performance. The 36-year-old Guyanese had scored a fluent 74 off 88 balls with 13 fours and two sixes, in Lancashire’s first innings score.
KINGSTON: Netball officials yesterday named a Jamaican squad to play in next month’s World Netball Championships, with seven players returning from the last tournament in New Zealand.
The July 10-20 tournament brings 24 teams to Jamaica’s capital, Kingston, including world champs Australia and other top teams England, South Africa and New Zealand. This year’s Jamaican team includes seven players from the 1999 squad, which finished fourth in that tournament, the Jamaica Netball Association said in a statement. The returning players are captain Oberon Pitterson, vice-captain Elaine Davis, Althea Byfield, Sharon Wiles, Georgia Gordon, Nadine Bryan and former skipper Connie Francis. Newcomers include Kasey Evering, Nichala Gibson, Carla Williams, Tiffanni Wolfe and Simone Forbes. The squad is coached by Maureen Hall.
MILLENIUM REIGN came with a resolute stretch run to win the Allowance feature at Santa Rosa Park, Arima, on Day 17 of the Arima Race Club racing season yesterday.
Always in mid-division of the 1750 metres event worth $23,000, jockey Wilmer Galviz asked the John O’Brien-trained gelding for his effort as the six-horse field entered the stretch. And with one sweeping run, last year’s Royal Oak Derby winner charged down the straight to score comfortably by three lengths. Man Of Class set off to make it all tracked by Morgan Heritage and stablemate Mandela. But when the heat was turned on, the top impost of 56.5 kilos took its toll and the Maniram “Boboy” Maharaj-owned and trained gelding fell back beaten into third. Mandela ran on gamely to just get his head in front of his stable companion, with Morgan Heritage running on at one pace for fourth. Biggest tote dividend of the 10-race programme was paid on I’m No Hunter who was winning on a Trinidad track for the first time. He rewarded backers with $11.30 and $3.30.
No trifecta or superfecta dividend reached the $1,000 mark on a day of very moderate dividends. Best trifecta was on the I’m No Hunter, Yankee Eagle, Alibi Ike combination – $233. And the quartet of Life In Russia, another first time winner, Joint Venture, City Of Lights, Kent’s Delight rewarded turfiteas with the best superfecta dividend of $990.50. Panamanian rider Nobel Abrego and Venezuelan Wilmer Galviz shared the riding honours, each landing three winners on the day’s card. But champion trainer John O’Brien saddled four winners yesterday, including Millenium Reign to be the leading conditioner on the day. Next race day is June 20, Labour Day, for which another 10-race programme has been framed, with the $75,000 CLICO Midsummer Classic over 1900 metres as the star arttraction. Also on the day’s programme will be the Santa Rosa Dash over 1200 metres worth $45,000.
A BARBADOS Workers Union netball team was edged 48-46 by Arima United in a thriller in their second match of their current goodwill series organised by the Chips team at the Woodbrook Youth Facility, Port-of-Spain.
The Bajans led 15-9 at the end of the first quarter of Friday’s match and were ahead 24-19 at the half-time interval. The Arima girls continued to cut into the BWU team’s lead and at the end of the three-quarter stage trailed by only two goals 36-34, to set up a thrill-a-minute final quarter in which the visitors were outscored 14-10. Goal-shoot Ann Marie Evans scored 29 goals from 39 attempts and Merlicia Lovell had 19 of 31, while for BWU goal-shoot Andrea Puckerin scored 38 of 51 attempts and Heather Belle, eight of nine. Earlier, Arima Ball Masters led all the way to beat BWU 22-17 in a “B” Division match at the same venue. Marissa Grant scored 10 goals, Melissa Snaggs and Camille Huggins had six goals each for the winners, while Joan Scantlebury 10, Stacy Ann Ruck, four, and Carlita Roberts, three, got goals for BWU.
Grande United will oppose Young Defenders in the finals of the North/East Zonal Cricket Council today at Valencia Recreation Grounds from 12.30 pm.
Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs and Member of Parliament for the Sangre Grande/Toco area Roger Boynes will be on hand to meet the players before the start of the match.
Teams:
Grande United: Kevin Mahabir (Capt), Christopher Joshua, Prudencio Cedeno, Franklyn Adams, Ranjeev Singh, Nigel Singh, Nyron Singh, Steffan Pemberton, Junior Phillip, Wayne Coxall, Nicholas Joseph, Mark Kangalee and Garvin DeVerteuil. Manager/coach: Prudencio Cedeno.
Young Defenders: Ajit Roopan (Capt), Ryan Ramtahal, Shamni Deonanan, Munesh Deonanan, Richard Cassie, Ramdeo Jury, Vishnu Ragoonath, Rishi Ramtahal, Nigel Mahase, Sheldon Ali, Subash Kistow, Lalchan Sookdeo, Vinod Kistow and Vishwanath Mahase. Manager: Ardeen Ramtahal, Coach: Robby Ragoonath.
RAMCHARRAN MADHO snapped up a hat-trick to lead defending champs Rochard Douglas to an emphatic 89-run victory over Mucurapo as they make a determined bid to hold on to their Scotiabank Primary Schools Championship Division title.
The young bowler took four wickets for no runs in 11 balls, while Stephen Badree claimed four wickets for eight runs as Mucurapo were bundled out for 13 runs at PowerGen ground in reply to Rochard Douglas’ 102 for eight wickets, of which Madho topscored with 20. But newcomers and current leaders Montrose Government continued their unbeaten run with a nine-wicket victory over Enterprise Government at Aranguez Savannah. Akil Clarke was the chief wrecker taking four wickets for 15 runs as the Enterprise boys were routed for 45 in just 13.5 overs. Jessie Torres took three wickets for 17 runs. Replying, Montrose knocked off the target for the loss of one wicket to score their fourth victory in as many matches. Todd’s Road are still without a point among the eight school teams after being beaten by Marac Baptist by eight wickets at Inshan Ali Park.
Summarised scores:
At Aranguez —- ENTERPRISE GOV. 45 (13.5 overs) – A. Clarke 4/15, J. Torres 3/17, Yannick Ottley 2/6 vs MONTROSE GOV. 46 for one wicket (11.2 overs) – Steffan Balgobin 15 not out.
At Inshan Ali Park —- TODD’S ROAD 72 (18.4 overs) – Anthony Wilkinson 6/12, Richie Joseph 3/20 vs MARAC BAPTIST 73 for two wickets – Filius Cuper 16, Dean Joseph 15 not out.
At PowerGen ground —- ROCHARD DOUGLAS 102 for eight wickets (30 overs) – R. Madho 20 vs MUCURAPO BOYS RC 13 (10.5 overs) – R. Madho 4/0, S. Badree 4/8.
At Wilson Road —- ARIMA BOYS RC 39 (17 overs) – Ronald Ramdass 4/13, Stephen Katwaroo 4/1 vs CLAKE ROCHARD GOV. 41 for one wicket (17 overs) – Alex Sambury 17 not out.
Current points standings: Montrose Gov. 12; Rochard Douglas, Marac Bnaptist 9 each; Clarke Rochard Gov. 7; Enterprise 4; Mucurapo, Arima Boys RC 3 each; Todds Road 0.
Brickfield United took the Ramsingh Central Zone limited overs cricket title with a 25-run whipping of Exchange last weekend.
Brickfield, batting first, scored 166 all out in 29.3 overs with Sunil Latchman scoring 54. The best of the bowlers for Exchange was Mohan Mano who took two for 14. Chasing 167 for the win in 30 overs, Exchange were bowled out for 141 despite a fighting 35 from Lynsey Rondon. Also giving good support was Steve Sookdeo with 35. Randy Modeste, three for 24, his brother Rudy Modeste two for 13 together with Ajay Laxman, four for 21, proved too much on the day. For the win Brickfield got $3,000, while Exchange walked away with $1,500.
JOHANNESBURG: Vibe CT 105 W Connection midfielder Silvio Spann scored in the 43rd minute to give Trinidad and Tobago’s footballers a 1-0 victory over Soweto Panthers in a closed-doors training match at the FNB Stadium yesterday.
Spann’s goal came after TT squandered at least eight clear-cut scoring opportunities in the first half at the venue which is home for the South African national team and is rated as one of their leading venues in their bid to host the 2010 World Cup. TT Coach Stuart Charles-Fevrier expressed concern with their inability to put away more chances but was pleased with the progress made in other areas of the team’s game. The Panthers had the first look on goal on eight minutes when striker Surprise Mopati forced goalkeeper Jan Michael Williams in action. But once the opening ten minutes elapsed, it was all one-way traffic for TT. Spann was the guilty one on goal before eventually making up for his missed just before the break. TT used the long widths of the field well with Carlos Edwards doing most of the running on the right flank and finishing with some pinpoint crosses. TT went closest to breaking the deadlock when Brent Sancho met a loose ball after Edwards’ free kick was cleared, and Spann made the final collection before seeing his righ-footed drive crash off the upright. The goal TT had long been searching for finally came when Spann played Edwards free on the right and he crossed to Pierre who passed for an unmarked Spann to clinically shoot low into the left corner of the goal.
Coach Charles-Fevrier made a few changes as the half went along and TT dropped gears and the Panthers were allowed to see more of Williams’ goal. The St Anthony’s College custodian had to save Lazarus Motsoapong’s header in the 49th minute and then kept out a point blank effort from Mopati in the 66th. His finest save of the match came in the 75th minute when he made a one-handed save to keep out Mopati’s close-range header following a right-side cross. Charles-Fevrier made it no secret that he felt TT still was not consistent in their play as the team prepares for Tuesday’s friendly international against Botswana followed by a clash with South Africa on June 14 in Port Elizabeth. “We had our final session here before the Botswana match and I was quite pleased with aspects of our play but we are still not yet consistent enough for 90 minutes. “We played a brilliant 45 minutes and after I made the changes, I found that the quality of our game dropped. “I’ll more like to believe that our consistency at the moment is lacking. There may be a gap between our starters and those coming off the bench. I think all the players are quality players so now I have to work on getting us to play consistently for the full match,” Fevrier said.
Later on, the TT bus attracted much attention from curious onlookers as it drove through Soweto, visiting the present homes of Winnie Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and the former home of Nelson Mandela. The TT contingent also visited the Apartheid Museum in Soweto which gave an unbiased and historically accurate account of modern 20th century South Africa. The contingent were then guests of the South African Football Association at the home-side’s 2004 Olympic qualifier against Kenya which ended 2-0 in favour of the hosts in Soweto. There too, skipper Reynold Carrington and company attracted attention in their red, white and black attire. TT leave for Botswana by bus today.
TT line up: Jan Michael Williams, Brent Sancho, Reynold Carrington, Keyeno Thomas (Avery John, 46th), Dale Saunders (Anton Pierre 68th), Travis Mulraine (Conrad Smith, 72nd), Hector Sam (Colin Samuel, 56th), Nigel Pierre (Jason Scotland, 74th) Nigel Daniel, Silvio Spann (Kerwyn Jemmot, 46th), Carlos Edwards.
