In Your Neighbourhood
Published:Saturday | February 11, 2012 | 12:00 AM
- Old Harbour eye top spot
Old Harbour Bay United (20 points), second on goal difference, will target Flamingo in a match at Gordon Pen tomorrow as they eye the top spot in the LIME St Catherine FA Division One league. Match time is 3 p.m.
Old Harbour are coming off a strong 4-1 win over bottom-club Benbow United last week. In that game, Lowan Myers struck a double (40th, 59th), while Devroy Gray (26th) and Jason Grant (80th) completed the rout. Richard Dillon (86th) netted a late penalty for Benbow.
In other games tomorrow, leaders Upfront United will be at home against seventh-place Treadways at Polly Ground; fifth-place Albion host beaten mid-season finalists Travellers at Albion Oval, while Waterford entertain Benbow United at the Waterford playing field.
- Eradication test for Right Stuff
Right Stuff might still feel a bit jolted by last week's surprise defeat away at Passagefort United. However, they have to quickly shrug off that disappointment as they face one of the competition's hottest teams, Eradication, in the 11th round of the Impulse-sponsored Domino League at Cedar Grove tomorrow. Eradication have won eight straight games, while Right Stuff have won eight and lost two.
In another key matchup, third-place Caribbean Classic meet ISCF at Port Henderson Road. In other games, Masterpiece host leaders Fort International at Old Harbour Road, Ken's Wildflower will be at home against Hurricane; Correctional Services entertain Garveymeade at Prison Oval; and Black Rooster will be at home against Colours Sports Bar. All games begin at 11:30 a.m.
- Portsmouth, McCauley to defend crowns
Portsmouth and McCauley Primary will defend their respective Portmore and the rest of St Catherine crowns this coming Tuesday and February 17, as the St Catherine leg of the LIME-sponsored league kicks off. Eleven schools from Portmore and 31 from the rest of St Catherine are down to compete.
Next week Tuesday, the winning Portmore team, Portsmouth, will open their account against Port Henderson at 10 a.m. at Portsmouth field. At 11:20 a.m. Naggo Head play Belmont, while at 12:30 p.m., Greater Portmore challenge Bridgeport.
McCauley, who will kick off their campaign on Frebruary 17, went all the way to the final and were beaten 1-0 by Lacovia of St Elizabeth.
- Rivoli lead South Central Confed Super League
Defending champions Rivoli United removed any doubt as to their top billing in the South Central Confed Super League after defeating Meadows 2-1 in their cross-zone St Catherine derby last weekend.
The win pushed Rivoli to 15 points, giving them a four-point lead over Meadows. ln other results, Royal Lakes moved into third place with a 4-1 win over Downs of Manchester, Newland secured their first win of the season, travelling to Clarendon to defeat Monymusk 1-0, while New Green collected their third-straight draw with a 0-0 effort against Super Action of St Elizabeth.
In a comical situation, two St Catherine teams, Bodles and Naggo Head, turned up to play in the same colours. The game was not played and a determination will now be made at the next meeting of the competition's committee.
- Westchester aim at Portals
Leaders Westchester will try to avenge their only loss of the season when they play against East Portmore Portals in a LIME Portmore Division Two match at the Greater Portmore Sports Complex. Kick-off time is 3 p.m. Portals shocked Westchester 3-2 the last time they met at Westchester in the first round, but Westchester have stepped up their game drastically since.
Westchester, currently on 17 points, are coming off an easy 3-0 win over minnows Garveymeade on Sunday, while Portals are now fourth with 11 points. They have been in a goal drought and ended 0-0 in their match against Westport.
In other games, two teams that are hurting, third-place Braeton United (13 points), and sixth-place Daytona (10), meet in an early clash at 1 p.m. at the Ferdie Neita Park. Both teams are coming off losses and will seek three points to set themselves back on track.
Hellshire United (14 points), who leapfrogged Braeton United after they defeated them 2-0 on Sunday, await Bridgeport, a team that stunned Daytona 2-0 on Sunday. This match is slated to start at 3 p.m.; while Garveymeade (five points), second to last,
- Eagles are Pattex Cup skittles champs
Big-occasion team Eagles Strikers won the Jamaica Skittles Federation Pattex Cup competition on Sunday, whipping Waltham Strikers 7-3 in the final at Mystix Sports Bar, 783/4 Hagley Park Road.
Eagles got off to a perfect start in a bid to win their third-consecutive title when their captain, Clinton 'Fly Up' Thompson, recovered from a tight spot to beat Donovan Ashman 990-520 via sinkers.
As the match progressed, Watham won the next two games - skipper Christopher Green teamed up with Romaine Constable to beat Thompson and Robert McKen in the first doubles game after sinking off the last three balls to win 490-440, and Melissa Cornwall blanked Eagles' Paulette Barrett 160-nil in the women's encounter.
However, that would be the last bit of celebration for the Waltham players as Robert McKen and Barrett outplayed Green and Cornwall to win the mixed doubles 880-670 to tie the match at three points each.
The island's best player, McKen, then whipped Paul Latchman 1950-270, as Eagles regained the lead four points to one, after which Dane Jones teamed up with Fred Marsh to skilfully win the second doubles game, beating Rupert Bernard and Paul Latchman 1110-720.
Needing just one point to clinch the trophy, Eagles placed their confidence in the cue of Orville Mighty, who easily put away Green 1500-90 to the delight of his teammates.
Meanwhile, the Henkel-sponsored Sista singles championship cues off tomorrow at Mystix, starting at 2 p.m. with 53 players vying for top honours, including defending champion Robert McKen, who has drawn a bye for the first round.
Some of the big matchups will see Basil Kelly of Eagles facing former champion Winston Lyew of Willies, Dane Jones opposing his Eagles teammate Rudolph Mullings, while two-time Sista singles champion Fitzroy Blair takes on teammate Steve Thompson of Eastern All-Stars.
- Kendal stay ahead in Manchester
Kendal continued their best start in the Manchester Major League spanking former champions Hillstars 4-1 in last weekend's fourth round.
Kendal have now moved to 11 points, three more than Comfort, who were idle last weekend. Kendal's win is significant as Hillstars were on a roll, having scored the highest margin of victory the previous round - a 7-1 thumping of Georges Valley. The latter continues to have a wretched time in the league, as they were beaten 4-2 by Porus last weekend. Mark Thompson preened himself with a hat-trick of goals.
In other games, Villa United outscored Cobbla Gully Strikers 3-2 in a battle of the newly promoted teams, while Mile Gully edged Star Liner 1-0.
This weekend's schedule is highlighted by two double-headers to be staged at Brooks Park and Kirkvine Sports Club. Today at Brooks Park: Villa vs Mile Gully at 1:30 p.m., while tomorrow at Kirkvine: Hillstars vs Star Liner; and Porus vs Kendal.
- BH cricket awards presentation tonight
The 74th annual awards presentation function for the 2011 Business House Cricket Board season takes place tonight at the National Housing Trust (NHT) Sports Club, New Kingston, starting at 7:30 with cocktails.
National Housing Trust, in only their second year in the competition, won two of the three major competitions - the Reggae Jammin 50-over league and the Best Dressed KO 30-over title, thanks to sterling performances by national players Nkrumah Bonner, Shacoya Thomas and Bevon Brown, as well as Frederick Hermitt and Shawn Lee Earle.
The Business House Cricket Board 35-over KO competition was won by Jamalco from Clarendon.
- Jamalco recapture lead in Clarendon
Jamalco rebounded from a shock 0-1 loss to Milk River to defeat Rock River 2-1 on Thursday.
The win enabled Jamalco to retake the lead in The Captain's Bakery & Grill Clarendon Major League. Neighbours New Bowens are well positioned on nine points and can share top place with Jamalco should they triumph in today's home fixture against York Town.
In other results this week, Dwight Powell's 50th-minute strike gave Gimme-Me-Bit a shock 1-0 win over New Bowens, Four Paths were given all three points and three clear goals in an unplayed fixture against Original Hazard and Rock River edged Longwood 1-0.
Four Paths will host Gimme-Me-Bit today.
- Black River wins Major League mid-season final
Kammar Walker's 89th-minute strike handed Black River a 1-0 win over Tafari Lions which lifted the Wray & Nephew-sponsored St Elizabeth Major League mid-season final at the St Elizabeth Technical High School last weekend.
Black River collected cash incentive of $30,000 and a trophy while the losers won $20,000.
The league resumes today with two matches. Appleton, third on 20 points, will travel to face Mountainside (14 points), while Parottee, which share third place with Appleton, are at home to Vineyard (eight).
Tomorrow there are three games. Black River, which lead the standings on 25 points, host Burnt Ground (16 pts), while Tafari Lions, second on 21 points, will play Knoxwood in Lacovia. In the clash of two teams locked on 17 points, Middle Quarters are at home to Newell. All games start at 3:30 p.m.
- Parkes voted MVP of Sandals St Ann/St Mary football league
Garreth 'Kirk' Parkes was crowned the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the 2011-12 Sandals-sponsored St Ann/St Mary Business House football competition at the awards ceremony held at Sandals Grande Riviera on Thursday.
Parkes received a cash prize for his outstanding performance in the league during which the wily forward beguiled many of his opponents.
"I accept the award with much humility," Parkes noted at the function.
National Water Commission walked away with the Sandals Resorts Trophy and $60,000 for winning the competition.
Runners-up Grand Bahai Principe collected $50,000 for their efforts, while Sandals Royal Plantation and St Ann Development Company were joint third-place winners.
NWC also received cash prizes for scoring the most goals (25), while Marksman Limited were awarded the cash prize for Fair Play and Jewels were adjudged the Best Dressed team.
Technical director of the national women's football team, Vin Blaine, who was guest speaker urged private-sector companies to invest more into sports and in the employment of sportsmen in the workplace.
Blaine noted that sports plays a vital role in the bonding of a people and can help in improving teamwork at the workplace.
Blaine also called on managers of Business House football teams to become mentors for young men and women in society, while hailing the Sandals team in the Ocho Rios region for having close to 100 managers acting as mentors.
The Reggae Girlz coach told the awardees that they were role models for young people in their community and as such they should be disciplined and carry themselves in a manner worthy of emulation.
President of the St Ann Football Association, Danny Beckford , lauded Sandals for their sponsorship, which spans more than 15 years.
"St Ann football owes a debt of gratitude to Sandals for their sterling contribution," Beckford noted to thunderous applause.
He urged other companies to get involved in football by sponsoring various competitions and hiring footballers.
"It's no secret that sports helps to decrease the level of crime in the society," Beckford said.
Also addressing the gathering were Brian Roper, general manager, Sandals Grande Riviera and Mitch Watson, Sandals' group public relations manager.