The rains fell overnight at the Regatta Village at Crown Point after the first day of racing on Monday, setting the tone for weather conditions on yesterday’s Day Two of the 21st annual Angostura Tobago Sail Week 2003 in Store Bay, Tobago.

At the scheduled 10 am start, it was overcast and windy, as boats of all classes had their sails billowing and rearing to go on the DHL Worldwide sponsored day. Jacana, the J 46 boat from USA, skippered by R Young Johns, raced up the field from its overnight spot of 12th to second. But Guardian Star, with the trio of Tim Kimpton, Peter Knox and Paul Ammon aboard, is the boat that has its 11 other racing class competitors all alarmed. Formerly called Hooligan, the Beneteau vessel never relinquished its lead on the choppy waters and, by the way she is being handled, it would take extremes to deny them the “prize.”

On the other side of the coin, there were some bitter sailors and crew members. C-Mos, skippered by Jose Mosca, at the very start had the top half of its jib busted at the start of yesterday’s stage, causing it to fall from fifth to seventh place. Legacy, in the heat of the battle, had its ‘spinnaker’ torn. This in some way resulted in its drop from first place on Monday to third yesterday. In all the other classes there was a jockeying for first place, except the  Charter 1 class where Saga Boy maintained its number one position. Today is a rest day — Lay Day — at the Tobago Hilton where a golf tournament, a sponsor’s brunch and a party will be held while action resumes tomorrow from 10 am.

Results –
Racing Class: 1.Guardian Star 2.Jacana 3.Tenshun.
Racer Cruiser: 1.Spirit of Saint Nick 2.L’Antillaise 3.Hugo.
Charter 1: 1.Saga Boy 2.Obsession 3.Anniet.
Charter 2: 1.Hionga 2.French Connection 3.Spitfire.
Cruiser: 1.Sun Beat 2.Hotel California 3.Nirvana.

Sparked by the brilliance of guest players Greg Ouditt and Mark Honore, Southern United showed they are determined to remain “Big Four” volleyball champions.

Playing against the Sepos in the first round of the Peter Mungal Grand Champions Cup at the Tacarigua Regional Indoor Sports Arena Southern United nullified all the ammunition trained on them. This was done by the power blocking of Ouditt and Honore who teamed up with the  Caribbean’s number one middle blocker Adrian Ayers. And together with skipper Purcell and Kesley Romain, they also dished out heavy artillery to pound the South-East Port of Spain Boys into submission to win their highly entertaining opening round fixture in impressive fashion.

With setter Mark Mahabir and libero Kerish Maharaj supplying the feed, Ouditt, Purcell and Romain unleashed bulletlike smashes that give them the edge in the first two sets at 28-26, 25-23. But Nolan Tash, the national senior vice-captain who recorded the most kills in the Caribbean Volleyball Championships last year, found his touch in the third set. Complemented with excellent setting by David Comacho and good all-round play by Gideon Dixon, SEPOS took the third set at 20-25. And despite their best efforts, Southern United was too hot to handle and the town boys bit the dust and bowed out 25-16.

This victory puts Southern United alongside Glamorgan who toppled Technocrats in the other men’s first round fixture. However, before Southern United signaled their intention of retaining their title, 2002 triple-crown women’s champion Glamorgan also displayed their undoubted power and skills to register a comfortable three sets victory over Point Fortin Slammers in the first match of the feature double-header. Spearheaded by the top female stars including Kelly-Ann Billingy (outside hitter), Madonna Bedenoch (outside hitter), Danya Augustus (middle blocker), Aisha Sealy (setter), Jenna Ferguson (libero) and Marina Camps (universal), Glamorgan raced to a commanding two set advantage 25-16, 25-12.

Coach Macsood Ali gave his younger and less experienced players a chance to make their mark  and showcase their talents. And they responded and proved superior to the Black City Girls, who were led by national players Elke Phillip and Nadiege Honore (guest player from Starlings), and sealed victory with a 25-23 advantage in the third set. The action switches back to the St Paul’s Street Gymnasium on Saturday with another double header. Glamorgan triumphant women takes on Apex from 5 pm while their men counterparts will do battle with SEPOS men in the second match from 7 pm.

ROYAL EXTRA North Zone Basketball queens Horizon narrowly beat Defence Force 57-56 as action in the Women’s Division got underway at the St Paul’s Street Multi-Purpose Facility in Port-of-Spain.

The teams battled to a 12-12 first quarter of Monday’s match, but Horizon stormed into a 10-point lead 30-20 at the half. The Army-Coast Guard girls put on their battle-dress in the third stanza, and outscored their rivals 25-8 to take a 45-38 lead at the end. Then a tremendous battle ensued throughout the final period, with Horizon tightenening their defence to subdue the rampant Defence Force to 11 points while scoring 19 to snatch victory. Philomena George led all scorers with 19 points, while Rachael Thompson added 14. Crystal George had 13 points for Defence Force, while Sojourner “Suzy” Hyles, Stacy Wilson and Alicia Liverpool added 10 points each.

Defence Force men had little trouble in overcoming Royal Extra Lions 77-62 in their Premier Division match also on Monday. Vincent Wilt led the Army-Coast Guard men with 19 points, while Steven Lewis had 16, Mervyn “Unks” Jackson, 14, and Kervis King, 10. Ronald Hernandez scored 14 points and David Burton matched him with 14 of his own including four three-pointers, while Anthony Noreiga got 12 for the Lions.

Other scores
Premier Division —- DETOUR SHAK ATTACK (76) Dexter Lewis 19, Terrence Mayers 13, Kelvin Blugh 11 vs TSTT (45) Philbert Nichols 16, Kirt Simmons 10; NFM  (77) Marlon Bernard 14, David King 13, Roland Guischard 10 vs REPUBLIC BANK ARROWS (62) Karim Muhammad 16, Kirby Joseph 12.

A Central Primary Schools limited overs cricket competition, sponsored by PowerGen, will bowl off today today at Gilbert Park, California.

At least 16 teams will take part in the march past parade of teams starting at 10 am after which participants will be addressed by representatives of Powergen and Point Lisas Power Station. They include Joy Ramlogan, Director-Legal and Regulatory Affairs at PowerGen who will deliver the feature address. Also listed to attend are Krishna Rampersad and Jerry Singh, both members of the Pt Lisas Community Relations Committee, and Everard Chang, Plant Manager, Pt Lisas Power Station.

Schools Supervisor 1 Johan Jahoor will also speak to the young cricketers before Preysal Government School and Carapichaima ASJA Primary School take to the field to play the opening match of the new season. The competition, for the second consecutive year is part of PowerGen’s Community Outreach Programme held under the aegis of the Pt Lisas Power Station. The sponsorship is another demonstration of PowerGen’s ongoing commitment to youth development in Trinidad and Tobago through sports and education, stated a release from the company yesterday. The tournament will run for two weeks with the final scheduled for June 11. Matches will be over 20 overs per innings.

With towels donated by TopRanke, golfers in the seventh annual Prime Minister Charity Golf Classic (PMCGC) will face 18 holes with a dry brow.

On Saturday players will tee off at Tobago Plantations Golf and Country Club under the distinguished patronage of the honourable Prime Minister Mr Patrick Manning. TopRanke, a division of Ranke Limited, exclusive distributors of Victorinox pocket tools, Zippo lighters and Totto bags and accessories, will present the golf towels to each member of the participating teams in this charitable event. This is the second year in a row that TopRanke have lent their support to the tournament. “Our (TopRanke’s) experience last year left an indelible impression, and we feel honoured to be invited to support the charity again this year. “We have focused our attention on the players and have donated what is considered a valuable commodity out on the links!  We hope to make this an annual event on our calendar. It is a worthy cause and we see it growing to even greater regional success,” said TopRanke’s Marketing Manager, Gillian Marcellin.

Speaking on the success of the event, PMCGC President, Randy Mohammed said:  “This is our second year hosting the tournament in Tobago.  It offers a relaxing atmosphere and brings back the element of fun — especially in the name of charity. “As in the previous years we are continuing to experience support from the business community.  For this we are grateful and hope to make this an outstanding golfing/charity experience for everyone involved.” To date, the the tournament has donated more than $550,000 to over 70 charities in Trinidad and Tobago.

A Coaches Exchange Project initiated by the Caribbean Chapter of Partners of the Americas which began in Haiti will bounce off in Trinidad today and will continue until Saturday.

The clinic and workshop for basketball coaches will be conducted by American expert Bobby Lewis. It will be launched at the St Paul’s Street Gymnasium, Port-of-Spain at 9 am. Training of the coaches from Trinidad and Tobago, Haiti and Dominica will be done by Gene Banks, a former All American basketballer at Duke University who had a seven-year career in the NBA. Banks is currently Athletic Director at Bennette College in Greensboro, North Carolina. The programme will aim to improve the teaching ability of Caribbean basketball coaches and assist their ability to develop young leaders through training and competition.

The four-day visit will also introduce the opportunity for similar exchanges of knowledge and expertise in other sports. This with the participation of 140 coaches in all three Caribbean territories there is an increased potential for young athletes to reap the benefits of such a programme. Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs Roger Boynes, United States Embassy representative Mrs Rose-Blass along with members of the Trinidad and Tobago basketball fraternity are expected to be present today at the launch of the workshop. The four-day programme targets disadvantaged urban youth. The Partners of the Americas also hope to raise local awareness of their work in this country, the value of sport and volunteerism in providing a positive influence in the development of young athletes and productive adults.

MUCURAPO Ex-Pupils handed Chips a 46-34 beating as action in the Pearl Francis Premier Division of the Port-of-Spain Netball League continued at the Jean Pierre Complex, Mucurapo.

Simone Morgan led the scoring with 33 goals for Ex-Pupils in Saturday’s match and Donna Thomas had 11, while Denise Rose netted 26 and Paula Bassant, eight for Chips. Arima United whipped San Juan Jabloteh 62-43 in another match in the same division with Janelle Barker scoring 40 goals from 48 attempts and Merlicia Lovell, 22 of 27. Julie Britto led Jabloteh with 32, while Patricia Noel got seven, and Gillian Williams and Hilary Noel, two goals each.

Monday’s scores:
Barbara Chandleur “B1” Division —- HARLEM (19) Veronica Bapltiste 15, Nickisha Cain 4 vs HORIZON (18) K’Lene Lewis 12, Anissa Bartholomew 6; PRINTERY SPORTS (28) Wendy Ann Pilgrim 19, Kinda Neptune 9 vs CIL SPARKLES (1) Crystal Andrews 1.
Barbara Burnette “B2” Division —- CS JETS (9) Rachael Dillon 6, Karvalon Coker 2, Joanna Alexander 1 vs UPPERS (9) Maquita Clement 6, Onika Borel 3; SOUL CITY (12) Likirta Douglas 9, Shermeka Thomas 2, Afesha Charles 1 vs HARLEM (11) Raisa Thorne 9, Atoya Adams 2; CIL SPARKLES (16) Ria Roache 123, Asha McDowell 4 vs MUCURAPO JUNIOR SEC. (7) Anola Camejo 6, Nicholan Skeete 1; HORIZON (12) Leann Pierre 8, Jodee Thomas 4 vs PRINTERY SPORTS (0).

Saturday scores:
Angela “Pinky” Drayton “A1” Division —- DEFENCE FORCE (45) Karlene Sylvester 23, Donna Chase 15, Jenelle Patrick-Diaz 5 vs ZENITH (27) Helen Curden 21, Beverly Alleyne 5, Michelle Slater 1; SOUL CITY (42) Debra Beckles 26, Michelle Boyce 16 vs MALTA CARIB SENATORS (26) Kathleen Antoine 18, Leslie Sebro 8; NFM UPPERS (50) Debra Martin 27, Olivia Le Platte 23 vs SPARKLES (39) Sarah Hutchinson 23, Jeanelle Hutchinson 16; NETACES (35) Cheryl Ann Warren 20, Karen Sandiford 13, Anika McClean 2 vs HORIZON (27) Chevi-Ann George 17, Sharon Gilbert 7, Susan Squires 3.

The second round of the 30th Knights Open Chess tournament produced an upset when veteran player Andrew Bowles beat John Raphael, a former national champion, in 32 moves.

With the win Bowles now shares the lead with other round two victors; Christo Cave, Frank Yee, Cecil Lee, Ryan Harper, Yogendranath Ramsingh, Mario Merritt, and Cesar Ramos who all reside at the two-point mark for the moment. Bowles opened with his King’s pawn prompting Raphael to adopt the Queen’s Fianchetto defence. Bowles, seeing his chance pounced on his opponent, sacrificing a Knight for two of his opponents pawns leaving Raphael’s King open. Bowles was unrelenting and kept his opponent on his toes at every step of the game. Cave secured his win playing the sturdy French defence against Leonard Duncan who never had an opportunity to return an attack on Cave. He locked the board down and moved freely to take two of Duncan’s pawns and the game.

In other matches on the day Ryan Harper beat Guelmo Rosales; Mario Merritt beat Nicholas Chin; Cesar Ramos beat Kenneth Fitzpatrick; Frank Yee beat Mark Guy; Cecil Lee beat Sylvan Seaforth; Darryl Davis drew with John Everon; Yogendranath Ramsingh beat David Jones; Arlene Blackman beat Michael Cedeno; Louis Wiltshire beat Ian Solomon; Jesse Sudan beat Trevor Flower; David Maynard beat Everol Francois; Brian Valentine beat Ian Ramrattan; Errol Dulgar beat Zane Campbell by default; Patrick Anthony beat Satyam Maharaj by default; Prakash Persad beat Dev Soondarsingh; Daniel Primus beat Aditi Soondarsingh; and Carl Jacobs beat Garth Stoute by default. This year’s tournament is sponsored by Algico, EndecoTrinidad Ltd, KMPG Chartered Accountants, and the estate of the late Sonny Baggan the Himalaya Club and the Trinidad and Tobago Chess Association.

Tomorrow will see another round of matches at the Dretchi Building from 7 pm: Christo Cave vs Frank Yee, Cecil Lee vs Ryan Harper, Yogendranath Ramsingh vs Mario Merritt, Cesar Ramos vs Andrew Bowles, John Raphael vs Darryl Davis, John Everon vs Leonard Duncan, Guelmo Rosales vs David Maynard, Nicholas Chin vs Errol Dulgar, Patrick Anthony vs Kenneth Fitzpatrick, Mark Guy vs Daniel Primus, Prakash Persad vs Sylvan Seaforth, Jesse Sudan vs Carl Jacobs, Brian Valentine vs Arlene Blackman, Michael Cedeno vs Louis Wiltshire, Ian Ramrattan vs David Jones, Ian Solomon vs Trevor Flower, Aditi Soondarsingh vs Everol Francois, Zane Campbell vs Dev Soondarsingh; Garth Stoute vs Satyam Maharaj.

MELBOURNE: The clash between Australia’s Glenn McGrath and West Indies batsman Ramnaresh Sarwan during the Fourth Test was an “ugly incident” which sent a poor message to fans, Australian cricket chief James Sutherland said yesterday.

“I’m not so much concerned about what may have been said on the field as to the message that it sends back to the cricket-viewing public,” the Australian Cricket Board (ACB) chief executive told reporters at the ACB office. “It’s certainly an ugly incident.” Australia fast bowler McGrath was involved in a heated finger-pointing exchange with Sarwan who made 105 as the home side reached 371 for six in the Fourth Test at Antigua on Monday. Sutherland said he had spoken to Australia captain Steve Waugh overnight to tell him of the team’s responsibilities as ambassadors for Australia and the game of cricket. “Steve certainly agrees that the team itself needs to be able to cope with situations when things aren’t going their way,” Sutherland said.

“That’s when the real test is on. If you can’t carry yourself in the right fashion in the true spirit of the game at those times then perhaps you need to have a good look at yourself.
“I’m disappointed in what I saw on television this morning.” West Indies resumed yesterday for the final day’s play requiring just 47 runs to win a heated match which has also included their captain Brian Lara clashing with opponents. Australia led the four-match series 3-0. Australian media reports said Sarwan had made a personal comment to McGrath which upset the 33-year-old fast bowler. “The critical issue is the message that this sends in a more general sense and it’s not the only incident during the course of this match that players wouldn’t be proud of,” Sutherland said. The International Cricket Council (ICC) through their umpires and match referee were in a position to take disciplinary action if required and it was not a matter for the ACB, Sutherland said.