Sports :: The St. Kitts-Nevis Observer

Thursday, 27th May 2010

ATHLETICS

Lydia says Thanks
Former athlete, Lydia Jacobs—Pemberton is thanking God for a miracle in her life, She recently returned from Cuba where she was scheduled to undergo surgery due to what was diagnosed as kidney complications,

While in Cuba, certain specific tests were completed and all of the results returned negative, miraculously giving her a clean bill of health. According to her Mom, the Doctors were dumbfounded and confused as there was no apparent logical explanation for the sudden change in her state of health but Lydia’s Mom is convinced that God has performed a miracle in her life.

She contributes this to the numerous prayers said by Lydia, her family members, church members and hundreds of individuals who she knows were praying on her behalf. Lydia wants to express her deepest gratitude to all those persons who not only contributed financially to her trip but also to all those who prayed for her recovery.

She is now back home and no longer undergoing the intense pain that she previously experienced and is now not only walking but jogging again.

In an interview conducted yesterday, Coach at the Ivor Walters Primary School and recent Manager of the Nevis contingent which participated in the Leeward Islands youth track and field meet Kimbel Ward, indicated that his team performed creditably under the circumstances. According to Ward, the team was peaking at about 95% up to the mini Olympics –The Inter Primary sports meet, but then the students had to break for exams and the training period leading up to the meet was less than adequate. He also referred to some trying circumstances on the first day of the event—a day that his team did not manage any significant rewards.

The athletes however remained upbeat and on the second day, there was a definite turn around and his team pulled in some four gold medals: Star performer Renika Daniel secured gold in the 400 meters for under 15 girls and gold in the long jump event, while Nevis’ under 13 cricketing all rounder Kezron ‘Kezzie’ Archibald blew the competition away in the under 15 boys shot put event to not only secure the gold medal but to establish a brand new record in the competition. The previous record was 11.4 meters and Kezron’s throw went to 11.9 meters. Nevis also secured another gold medal in the 4X400 meter open relay event.

Ward was high in praise for all of the athletes who he indicated were generally well behaved and gave it their all. He however had special praise for Renika, Kezron and the 4X400 relay team for their tremendous achievements.

One of the recent inter primary stars, Kishawna Brookes spoke eloquently of her experience and explained that although she extended herself, she could have done better. She secured a bronze medal in the 400 meters.

A shy Renika was happy for the experience and explained that she faced stiff competition in the 400 meter event but remained determined right to the end. She felt that the level of competition in the long jump event was not as challenging. She also joined team mate Vernine Williams who was a part of the winning relay team, in expressing that the first day experience was not very encouraging as they received meals late and apparently a few of the athletes were physically discomfited on that first morning.

All of the athletes interviewed were however happy for the experience of representing Nevis at this level and one thing they all shared in common, is that they had developed new friendships around the region.

Meanwhile, Sports Coordinator at the Charlestown Secondary School, Mr. Merrill Carbon, yesterday presented Renika Daniel with trophies and medals previously won at the 2010 CSS annual Sports meet. Renika received her rewards for placing first in the 100, 200 and 400 meter events, with a new record set in the 200 meters of 26.64 seconds and adjudged class champion in Class C, junior female champion and Victrix Ludorum for the meet.

CRICKET

Female Cricket league attracts major sponsor

With the count down well and truly on for the commencement of the female cricket league on Nevis for 2010, a major sponsor has come on board which will significantly ease the burden of the Nevis Cricket Association in successfully hosting the tournament.

President of the Nevis Cricket Association, Ronald Powell indicated yesterday that well known business entity on the island, ‘Island Tyres and Hardware’, under owner and popular Businessman, Mr. Analdo Chiverton, has stepped forward to be this year’s sponsor of the league. An excited Powell indicated that the sponsorship funds of $5,000.00 EC would go a long way towards the preparation of pitches, the provision of tape balls, trophies, medals and cash prizes.

Any shortfalls would be expected to be made via the gate receipts and bar sales during the games. Powell who is also an employee of Island Tyres and Hardware was high in praise for the generosity of his boss and stated that that is why he would encourage all and sundry to do business with the establishment, because it is a company that not only serves the community well, but has always willingly donated to the well being of the society.

The 2010 female league is set to bowl off this coming Staurday evening—29th May, at 7.00 pm at the Elquemedo Willet Park. Public Relations Officer for the Nevis Cricket Association, Curtis Morton has revealed that there will be a brief opening ceremony which will include prayer, the national anthem, addresses by the Minister of Sports, Hon. Hensley Daniel and the President of the NCA, Ronald Powell. The officials would then meet and greet the teams who are expected to be in full uniform. Immediately after the ceremony, the ladies will engage in what is expected to be an exciting six a side competition which is a novel idea to the league but is expected to keep the crowd cheering and involved for the remainder of the evening.

Morton further indicated that the league schedule will be finalized shortly but it would appear that just about eight teams will be participating this year. He was pleased to see the return of the Nurses team—The Alex Stars and has also confirmed that included in the number is the return of the Empire team.

LICA Three Days Tournament 2010

Dates		Matches		Venues

3,4,5 July	Nevis vs St. Kitts			Nevis
	Montserrat vs Antigua			Montserrat
	Anguilla vs St. Martin			Anguilla

7,8,9 July	Montserrat vs Nevis			Nevis
	St. Kitts vs St. Martin St. Martin			Antigua

10,11,12	Antigua vs Nevis		St. Martin	Antigua
	Anguilla vs St. Kitts		Montserrat	Nevis

13,14,15 July	Antigua vs St. Kitts			Antigua
	Nevis	vs	Anguilla	Nevis

17,18,19 July	Final "Two Top Teams"

LICA Under 19, 2010

Dates		Matches	Venue
19/20 June	St.Kitts vs Nevis		SVRS
	Anguilla vs Montserrat		Police
	Antigua	vs St. Martin	Falmouth
21/22 June	Antigua vs Anguilla		SVRS
	Nevis vs Montserrat		Police
	St. Martin vs St. Kitts		Falmouth
25/26 June	Antigua vs St. Kitts		SVRS
	Nevis vs Anguilla		Police
	Montserrat vs St. Martin Falmouth
27/28 June	Montserrat vs Antigua SVRS
	Anguilla vs St. Kitts		Police
	St. Martin vs Nevis		Falmouth
30 Jun/01 Jul	St. Kitts vs Montserrat		SVRS
	Nevis vs Antigua		Police
	Anguilla vs St. Martin		Falmouth

The Jamaica leg of South Africa's tour of West Indies has been shifted to Trinidad following the ongoing violence in Kingston which has now killed 44.

A state of emergency is in operation in the capital after serious fighting broke out involving supporters of a local drug lord whom Jamaica officials are aiming to extradite to the US.

Sabina Park was due to host the final ODI, a warm-up match and the first Test starting on June 10 but the two internationals will now be held at the Queen's Park Oval in Trinidad with a venue for the practice match still to be confirmed.

Trinidad had originally been scheduled to hold the two Twenty20 internationals and the opening two ODIs but they were moved to Antigua after a general election was called. The remaining Tests will be held in St Kitts and Barbados later in June.

Last year Sabina Park was the scene for a rare West Indies victory as they skittled England for 51 in the first Test.

Cricinfo staff

West Indies have been hit by a bunch of injuries ahead of the third one-dayer against South Africa in Dominica. The struggling home side, yet to win a match in the series, will be without experienced batsman Ramnaresh Sarwan (left hamstring strain), left-arm-spinner Nikita Miller (right side strain) and fast bowler Kemar Roach (left ankle soreness) at least for the next two ODIs.

The West Indies selectors have also dropped the out-of-form Andre Fletcher from the 13-man list for the third and fourth one-dayers. Two players who weren't picked for the first two matches, Jamaican allrounder David Bernard and 21-year-old batsman Darren Bravo, have returned to the squad.

Bravo forced his way back into contention with a Man-of-the-Series performance in the recent A team tri-nation series in Bangladesh, where he scored a hundred and three half-centuries in five innings to make a tournament-high 309 runs. Bernard, who has been in and out of the West Indian one-day side since being selected last June after a six-year absence from international cricket, gets another chance to cement his place.

West Indies are 2-0 down in the five-ODI series against South Africa, and lost both Twenty20s which preceded the one-dayers as well.

West Indies: Chris Gayle (capt), Dwayne Bravo (vice-capt), Sulieman Benn, David Bernard, Darren Bravo, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Narsingh Deonarine, Kieron Pollard, Denesh Ramdin (wk), Ravi Rampaul, Dale Richards, Darren Sammy, Jerome Taylor

Results Of The First Game In the SKNFA Digicel Best Of Three Finals Played At Warner Park Stadium On Wednesday:

TDC Newtown United 3                          vs St.Peters FC 0
      (Half Time 1 - 0)

Kiethroy Richards 35th minute
Kennedy Isles 48th minute
Alexis Saddler 54th minute

   Yellow Card
Shashi Isaac (Newtown) 51st minute

*Officials were Stewart Rawlins, Alexis Joseph, Fidell Fahie & Steadroy Techeira
* The Second Game will Be Played On Saturday

The Nevis representative team to the Leeward Islands youth Track and field championships, returned home on Monday 24 th May 2010.

The team participated in the meet which was held in Anguilla and from all reports, performed creditably by securing the overall 5 th spot, based on medal count, of the seven competing teams.

Neighbours St.Kitts however totally dominated the event and pulled off their 12th straight victory. As an indication of their dominance, the 35 member strong team St.Kitts secured no fewer than 24 gold medals and 22 silver.

Those securing gold medals included: Namibia Clavier, Samuel Oyebefun, Shenella Mitchum, Ke'Jon Parris, Demitre Browne, Clairvon Kelly, Israel Liburd, Shanice Elliot, Jahnazza Francis, Xiaoyu Harris, Jermaine Francis, Shenella Mitchum, Ke'Jon Parris, Oksanna Isaac, Demitre Browne, Shanice Elliot and Josiah Oyebefun.

Gold medals were also won on in the Boys and Girls U-13 and U-15 (4 X 100m) relay teams.

MEDAL COUNT

TEAM	GOLD	SILVER	BRONZE	TOTAL
ST. KITTS	24	22	13	59
BVI	10	7	11	28
ANTIGUA	7	5	8	20
ANGUILLA	6	8	9	23
NEVIS	4	9	8	21
ST. MAARTEN	1	0	0	1
USVI	0	1	3	4

In commemoration of the 44 th Independence Anniversary of Guyana, the Young Guns Guyanese team based in St.Kitts, hosted Big Rock (Guyanese Team) out of Nevis to play for a cricket match at the Edgar Gilbert Sporting Complex in Molineaux. They played for braggers' rights and a handsome Independence championship trophy sponsored by Michael Mangru and Sons.

The match was played on Monday May24th in front of a fair sized and enthusiastic crowd.

Young Guns won the toss and chose to bat first making a competitive 173 for 6 off (30) Overs
Welton Edwards 82, Rishie Bhoojraj 36, Raju Rampersaud 19 and Bernard Island 21

Donovan Matthews 54, Carlos Adolphus 17

Ram Sookram 3 for 19, Robert Murray 2 for 40, Welton Edwards 2 for 26, KhemraJ Nandlall 2 for 19 and Michael Mangru 1 for 2 off 1 over.

The teams will meet again in Nevis at the Elquemedo Willet Park at a date to be announced a few T-20 matches,

Devon Smith has been named captain of the West Indies A team for the tour of England and Ireland this summer.

The team will play three four-day games against Glamorgan and India A between June 5 and 20 before two limited-overs matches against Ireland in Stormont. West Indies A will then take part in a tri-series involving England Lions and India A.

Clyde Butts, West Indies' chairman of selectors, had said that scheduling of regular matches for the A team was a step in the right direction for the development of the region's cricket. The team had a recent home series against Zimbabwe and also toured Bangladesh.

West Indies A : Devon Smith (capt), David Bernard (vc), Omar Phillips, Lionel Baker, Kraigg Brathwaite, Darren Bravo, Odean Brown, Kirk Edwards, Andre Fletcher, Justin Guillen, Imran Khan, Nelon Pascal, Gavin Tonge, Chadwick Walton.

Kieron Pollard and Nikita Miller will replace Justin Guillen and Odean Brown for the one-day section of the tour.

T&T middle order batsman Darren Bravo has been recalled from the West Indies A team tour of Bangladesh and will play in the final three one day internationals against South Africa.

However, problems in getting a flight out of Bangladesh have delayed his return but he is still expected to arrive in Dominica for the third one day international against South Africa starting on Friday. Bravo, who made his debut against India in the Caribbean last year and was Player of the Series in the three-way 50-overs ‘A' team tournament in Bangladesh that also involved South Africa, has had scores of 2, 69, 107 not out, 67 not out and 69, followed by 102 and 37 in the first four-day match against Bangladesh ‘A'.

He was not chosen for the second ‘A' team Test against Bangladesh that started two days ago and was seeking a flight out to England. An official close to the situation said after a long delay, Bravo was able to leave a day late but will still be in the Caribbean in time for the match. The West Indies have lost all their matches against South Africa on this tour. They went down 2-0 in the T20 series and are trailing 0-2 in the five-match limited overs tournament

The series result was on expected lines as United States of America failed to register a win in each of their three matches against Jamaica. USA captain Steve Massiah raised hopes of a win for the hosts but Jamaica won the second and final Twenty20 by 19 runs in Lauderhill. Marlon Samuels made a satisfying return to competitive cricket with a brisk 36 and took two wickets in an all-round performance for Jamaica.

Opening the innings, Samuels batted till the 15th over and was involved in stands of 40 and 43 with Dean Morgan and Shawn Findlay respectively. Samuels made a 34-ball 36 with three fours, before he was caught and bowled by Timroy Allen. Allen also claimed the wicket of Findlay, who hit three sixes in his 37. Lennox Cush picked up a couple of middle-order wickets but Jamaica accelerated to push the score to 141.

Jamaica 141 for 6 (Samuels 36, Morgan 37) beat United States of America 122 for 5 (Massiah 47, Samuels 2-18) by 19 runs

The Nevis-based Joseph Parry Cotton Ground Rebels continued their winning streak in the LIME SKABA Premier division on Saturday 22 nd May with an upset victory over the defending Champions Horsford's Ghetto Roots.

The Ghetto Roots obviously took the Nevis champions lightly as the team began the game with just 5 players while the CG Rebels came in full force and ready to defend and maintain their unbeaten streak. The Rebels led for the first 2 quarters as the Ghetto Roots 5 played sluggish throughout. By the end of the first half the CG Rebels were large and in charge.

However, by the start of the 2nd half the Ghetto Roots was closer to full strength and took control of the game as they won the final 2 quarters of the match. However the first half advantage by the CG Rebels was a little too much for the Ghetto Roots.

The Ghetto Roots suffered their first loss since the end of the 2009 season, 94-85. Carlos Monzac had an exceptional game with 22 rebs and 20 points for Ghetto Roots while the CG Rebels were led by Jennersen France.

Cotton Ground Rebels are now the only undefeated team in the SKABA League. The Rebels are on top of the league standings with a 4-0 record while Ghetto Roots record now falls to 3-1.

Cotton Ground will be going for their 5 th straight victory when they play Fig Tree on Saturday 29 th May.

LEADING jockey Jason Liburd saw an unexpected challenge for supremacy on (May 24) at Beaumont Park in the form of Michael Semple, who won three races, claimed EC $26 000 in prizes and is now tied for the top jockey spot with 17 victories this year.

Semple's first victory of the day came in the second event on the card, a five furlong race that saw the jockey riding Daring Spirit to a first place finish in 1:00 4/5. The race had a wild start as Gold Deposit broke free of jockey Wilfred Castell and took some time to be brought under control.

When the group of maidens (non-winners) eventually cleared the gate, Dominquero came out hot and led by a length coming into the turn. Semple rode Daring Spirit close to the rail in the curve, however, and was able to surpass the leading horse. Both horses surged ahead of the pack in the final furlong, but Daring Spirit was eventually declared the official winner by mere inches.

“[Dominquero] was easy in front, but my horse was coming in and I just had to wait to make the right move,” Semple told SKNVibes following the race.

With minimal rest, the jockey then returned in the third race to win atop Rollofthunder in a time of 0:47 1/5 for the four furlong event. Semple saw less of a challenge in the half mile race after leading out of the post. While a challenge was launched by runner-up Full Breed after the first furlong, Rollofthunder held his ground on the curve and had more than enough energy to cross the line in the top spot to claim the EC $8 000 purse.

Semple's final victory of the day came in the featured race on the card, a one mile event sponsored by NAGICO Insurance Company Ltd. with a prize of EC $10 000. The race was billed as an inter-island battle with Brilliant Bride and E Z Smile, ridden by Colin Ross and Michael Semple respectively, representing St. Kitts and Zapthatstar and Blessings, ridden by Dwight Jacobs and Laird Bailey respectively, representing Antigua.

The multitude of Kittitian and Nevisian race fans cheered wildly as Brilliant Bride and E Z Smile burst to an early lead in the first quarter-mile. The St. Kitts duo held their charge through the first turn, but Zapthatstar began to challenge on the second straightaway and appeared to be gaining position on the leaders.

However, the special relationship between E Z Smile and Semple prevailed in the final two furlongs and the jockey masterfully pushed into the lead and easily claimed the top prize in 1:41 2/5, finishing ahead of Brilliant Bride and Zapthatstar.

“The day was good to me,” Semple said after the race, thanking the owners and trainers of the winning horses. He also spoke on his close relationship with E Z Smile and said that he was certain he could win the NAGICO-sponsored feature event.

“She's just comfortable with the distance. When it's a short distance she just doesn't feel comfortable. It takes a lot out of her, but doing anything around a mile she's comfortable with it.”

The holiday race event also saw Please the King ridden by Laird Bailey winning the opening four furlong race for maidens in a time of 0:47 flat over Port Oscar and Got to Get a Rhythm.

In the fourth race on the card, Colin Ross rode Norse Spirit to victory in a time of 0:48 1/5 over a distance of four furlongs, while High Wire Glory and Secular came in second and third, respectively. Immediately following that race, it was Jason Liburd claiming an EC $10 000 purse as he rode Prince Igor to a win across six and one-half furlongs, finishing ahead of Al Portador and Schleishinger.

Liburd's victory was enough to keep him tied with Semple in terms of overall wins, but the stage is now set for an epic clash of champions at Beaumont Park's next race day, which is scheduled for June 27.

The United Pentecostal Church of Brown Pasture in Nevis, under the leadership of Pastor Bernard Browne, hosted its inaugural annual road relay on Monday 24 th May 2010.

The race which attracted quite a sizeable crowd involved athletes from other Pentecostal churches on the island. The notice of invitation that was sent to the churches indicated quite clearly that participants in the event should be ‘regular, baptized members' of the participating church.

The race commenced in the vicinity of the Zion Chapel in Webbe's Ground, with the second relay Station located at Dore's Bakery, in the vicinity of Golden Rock Hotel. The third relay station was at Best Buy in Gingerland; the fourth at Chicken Stone and the race culminated at the United Pentecostal church at Brown Pasture.

When the dust settled, the United Pentecostal church at Marion Heights, under the leadership of Pastor Cecil Bartlette were the clear cut winners. In second place was Pastor David Jones' Liburd Hill Church of God and in third place was Pastor Al Forbes Prince of Peace representatives.

The three top teams received impressive trophies compliments of the host church and then the gathering socialized at the finishing point, enjoying barbecue chicken and lively gospel music

The other participating churches included the Bethel Church of God from Pinneys and the United Pentecostal Church of Brown pasture—the host church.

A touring party of some thirty cricketers-males and females, representing the ‘Strictly Business' Sports club out of Antigua, returned home on Monday afternoon after spending the Whit weekend on Nevis.

The club members arrived in Nevis on Friday 21 st May and were housed at the Hanley's Road Community Center. While on Nevis, the club engaged in several matches and would have returned holding their heads high, having performed creditably and generally outplaying their opponents.

On the evening of Staurday 22 nd May, the ‘Strictly Business' female team defeated local female champions on Nevis, the St.James' team in a close encounter. Their male team was then whipped by a select Nevis Male team led by Tonito Willet. The visitors had no answer for an impressive six prong pace attack which hardly gave them breathing space with the tape ball. The pacers used were: Blair, Elroy ‘Jimbo' David, Wendell ‘Micey' Wallace, Curtis Morton Jr, Charles ‘Yellow man' Hendrickson and Nazir

However, the following night, Sunday 23 rd May, the ‘Strictly Business' Females totally outplayed a Nevis mixed female team led by Nevilla Daniel. Their male counterparts also held the upper hand in the final match of the evening when they engaged a select Nevis male team skippered by Wendell ‘Micey' Wallace. However, a heavy downpour of rain put an early end to the proceedings with the visitors needing just 45 for victory.

Match three—Strictly Business females v Mixed Nevis female team—Strictly Business 79 all out- S Michael 17; D Benta 14

Match four Strictly Business males v Nevis Male team—Nevis 44 all out in 8.3 overs—Oneil Walters 17; Sterling Marshall 7 and Rakish 6

The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) announced on Monday that it is closely monitoring the situation on the ground in Kingston, Jamaica – venue for next month's fifth Digicel One-Day International and first Digicel Test Match between West Indies and South Africa. The WICB has been in contact with all the major stakeholders and will issue a formal update in the coming days.

Jamaica is presently experiencing a spate of social unrest and a state of emergency has been declared in that country.

DIGICEL SERIES SCHEDULE

Wednesday, May 19: 1 st Digicel T20 at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, Antigua

Saturday, June 26 to Wednesday, June 30: 3 rd Digicel Test at Kensington Oval, Barbados

A stunning late assault from Darren Sammy couldn't prevent South Africa sealing a 17-run victory set-up by fifties from Hashim Amla and Jacques Kallis in a high-scoring game at the Sir Vivian Richards stadium.

The match had looked all but over after West Indies had slipped to 236 for 8 in the 45th over, still 65 short of their target but Sammy launched six sixes and two fours on his way to the fastest ODI fifty by a West Indian - from 20 balls. He took the equation to 18 needed off 13 but successive run outs sealed a tense result that had looked a formality for almost the whole game.

South Africa 300 for 5 (Amla 92, Kallis 85, Pollard 2-39) beat West Indies 283 (Bravo 74, Sammy 58*, Morkel 3-58) by 17 runs

The Court's sponsored OECS chamois of champions Netball tournament for 2010 came to an exciting conclusion on Sunday evening at the Pamela Tyson Netball stadium in St.Kitts. Without a doubt, the two most highly charged games of the entire tournament were played on that final evening. The traditional ‘battle of the narrows' between the Stoney Grove Untouchables of Nevis and Coca Cola Shamrock of St.Kitts was played on court one, while the battle for championship honours between last year's champs, Elite Strikers of St.Lucia and Maple of St.Vincent was played on Court two.

In the St.Kitts -Nevis match up, the Stoney Grove Untouchables of Nevis started aggressively by leading the Coca Cola Shamrock, 11 goals to 6 at the end of the first quarter. However, the ladies from St.Kitts came back from the second quarter reacting as if someone had stirred up an ant's nest. Suddenly there was an air of authority and dominance coming from the home team and cheered on by a partisan crowd, they left the Nevis ladies nonplussed and dumbfounded. This despite the shooting expertise of Latasha Isles who converted 19 of her 22 attempts. The other three quarters tell the story:

Meanwhile, the action on court two was equally entertaining. Reigning champions Elite Strikers of St.Lucia was having their hands full with the determionation and skill of the dynamic Maples out of St. Vincent.

At the end of the first quarter, Maples led 13 to 10; at the end of the second quarter, Elite Strikers returned the favour to lead 25 to 21; at the end of the third quarter Strikers maintained their narrow lead with a score line of 37 to 33.

The game intensified in the final quarter with Maple scoring four unanswered goals to tie the score 37-all. Soon it was 42 to 37 in favour of Maples but the defending champions dug deep and responded with some superb shooting of their own. However, as the seconds ticked away on the game clock, their shooters missed some crucial chances and when the final whistle was blown, Maples sealed the championship honours with a final score line of 48 to 44.

21st May 2010

ATHLETICS

Nevisian Athletes off To Anguilla

Twenty eight youthful Nevisian athletes were scheduled to leave for Anguilla via an 8am flight, earlier today-Friday 21st May, from the Vance Amory Int Airport.

The athletes will be participating in the Leeward Islands youth championships which cater for athletes in three categories: under11; under 13 and under 15.
Shefton Daniel who is travelling as Coach of the team, indicated yesterday that he was confident that his team of athletes will do exceptionally well.

Manager Kimbell Ward was also congfident that the team would perform creditably and indicated that they would be partricipating in several events including the usual track events and field events which will include: Javelin throw, cricket ball throw, long jump and high jump.

Owner/ Manager of the Gladiators track and field club, Mr. Wakeley Daniel, indicated that he was not travelling with the team but guarantees that from the hard work and training they have put in, they would do well. He was on hand with NAAA chief Lester Blackett to supervise the handing out of uniforms to the athletes.

Nevisian Tennis players to match skill versus Anguillans

President of the Nevis Amateur Tennis Association, Mr. Anthony Webbe has indicated that he will be leading a nine member Nevisian Tennis squad to Anguilla for the Whit weekend. According to Webbe, all of the players will play at one point or other, but all may not compete in a mini tournament being organized versus Tennis players from the Host country.

The trip was coordinated by Mr. Damien Hughes, Cable TV Manager on Nevis and all of the players on the trip will be funding their own airfare.

According to Webbe, this is an excellent opportunity for his players to pit their skills against a new set of players from another country and he is confident that the standard of play known to Nevis will hold the players in good stead over the weekend. The team is expected to return on Whit Monday -26th May 2010.

Cricket

Guyanese Females trounce Alex Stars

The hard working Nurses came in for a rude awakening last evening when they engaged the Guyanese team in a friendly encounter. The match was played under sub standard lighting conditions at the Villa grounds but it was obvious that the members of both teams and the fair sized gathering totally enjoyed the outing.

The Guyanese batted first and their innings flourished compliments of no fewer than 33 wides sent down with surgical precision by the Nurses. At the end of their ten overs, the Guyanese and amassed a competitive 72 runs. The Nurses started aggressively with the tall, hard hitting Phillip carting a few balls to the boundary and the much shorter Donna Hanley caressing and steering the ball for singles and twos-but that was the long and the short of their resistance. Phillip holed out to a catch at midwicket and an obviously discomforted Hanley, batting with a runner, eventually snicked to the wicketkeeper. When she hobbled off, Cressie Phillip and Dionne Flanders had a brief partnership but the asking rate had soared to unreachable proportions. The caring ladies folded for 56 runs from their ten overs.

It is understood that the Alex Stars will be seeking a rematch prior to the opening of the 2010 league, scheduled for May 29th.

Stoney Grove untouchables Rocked by champions

The Stoney Grove Untouchables played their first match of the 2010 Courts sponsored OECS Champion of champions Netball tournament being played in St.Kitts. In their first encounter, played last evening, they engaged the champion team of last year, the St.Lucia Elite Strikers. Despite the stubborn resistance of the Nevis lasses, they were eventually overpowered by the dominant St.Lucians. The final score line was 54 to 24 in favour of the girls from St.Lucia.

In the second game of the evening, St.Kitts Coca Cola Shamrock upstaged Fort Knox Aces of Dominica.

The team members of the Stoney Grove Untouchables are:
Latasha Isles
Latasha Parris
Tasha Parris -Forrester
Lydia Claxton
Jasmine Charles-capt
Varina Jeffers
Shannette Skeete
Shamyse Bartlette
Kernesia Parry
Curleanne Parris
Sharlene Martin and
Datricia Morton-Management

FRI 21ST 7:00 am MAPLE OF ST. VINCENT vs. STONEY GROVE UNTOUCHABLES 1
7:00 am STRIKERS vs. FORT KNOCKS ACES 2
6:00 pm STONEY GROVE UNTOUCHABLES vs. FORT KNOX ACES 1
7:30 pm COCA-COLA SHAMROCK vs. MAPLE OF ST. VINCENT 1

SAT 22ND 6:00 pm FORT KNOX ACES vs. MAPLE OF ST. VINCENT 2
6:15 pm ELITE STRIKERS vs. COCA-COLA SHAMROCK 1

SUN 23RD 5:00 pm ELITE STRIKERS vs. MAPLE OF ST.VINCENT 2
5:00 pm COCA-COLAS vs. STONEY GROVE UNTOUCHABLES 1

Primary School Football closing ceremony established

According to Sports Coordinator in the Ministry of Sports, Mrs Lydia Thompson Claxton, the closing ceremony for the 2009 Primary School Football league will be held on Friday 28th May. The ceremony will feature the distribution of trophies and prizes to the overall school and individual winners in the league and will be held during the Assembly period at the Charlestown Primary School.

Charlestown Primary dominated the competition and were clear cut winners in A and B divisions.

Nevis Cricket Association on course with plans

A more than lively discussion took place among the members of the Nevis Cricket Association as they met in a general planning meeting yesterday.

Cricket chief on Nevis, Ronald Powell applauded the fact that even though members had differing views on various issues, the rule of democracy won the day when the said issues were voted on.

Some of the decisions that came out of that meeting were:
· The Nevis selectors will meet on Tuesday 25th May and will select two squads which will be presented to the Nevis Cricket Association for ratification the following day. An eighteen member squad will be selected for immediate training and practice to represent Nevis in this year's Leeward Islands under 19 tournament slated for June 19th to July 1st. A twenty-six member squad will also be selected to commence trials after the completion of the first division fixtures in preparation for the Leeward Islands senior tournament for 2010. That competition is set to commence during the second week in July.
· Plans were finalized for the hosting of the Antiguan Sports club 'Strictly Business' which will be touring Nevis this weekend. Two matches will be played at the Elquemedo Willet Park on Saturday night and two more on Sunday night involving male and female teams. Spectators will be asked to pay $2.00 for adults and $1.00 for children on both nights, while the vendors will only contribute $25.00. Players selected to the Nevis select squad are kindly asked to wear a maroon shirt and a white pant.
· The first division fixtures continue this weekend when SL Horsfords Empire engages Jessups at the GRG. OMP Brown Hill will take on Pioneers at Cotton Ground. However the match previously scheduled between Pennyless All stars and Highlights Int has been postponed to the following weekend-May 29th and 30th. The likely venue is the Elquemedo Willet Park.
· The Nevis Cricket Association reminds all female teams that the deadline for registration is today Friday May 21st and the league will bowl off on Saturday May 2010 at 7pm with a brief opening ceremony and parade of teams followed by an exciting six a side competition. Persons interested in sponsoring aspects of the league are kindly asked to check with President Ronald Powell.

South Africa fought back from a difficult start to seal a two-nil victory in the Twenty20 series against West Indies on another scrappy pitch at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua.

After the wretched encounter in the first game, this tense finish was a welcome change. The pitch wasn't conducive to the boundary-soaked Twenty20 cricket crowds routinely expect but it provided a low-scoring last-ball finish as South Africa edged home.

Once again there were only a smattering of spectators, with the powers that be opting to appease TV schedules around the world and stage the match in the early afternoon, rather than under lights in the evening. Those that did turn up would have been disappointed that the home-side's batsmen couldn't follow up a disciplined bowling effort that restricted South Africa to a 120, a modest total despite the pitch.
With West Indies needing 15 from a dramatic last over, Darren Sammy managed to top-edge the second ball for four and then, extraordinarily, took advantage of loose fielding to collect an all-run four when a single looked sketchy. It left five needed from three deliveries but Ryan McLaren held his nerve to leave West Indies a run short.

South Africa 120 for 7 (Miller 33, Taylor 3-14) beat West Indies 119 for 7 (Bravo 40, Botha 3-22) by 1 run.

Bangladesh A put up a respectable performance in the second innings, but it was not enough to make up for their abject surrender the first time around, as West Indies A completed a 114-run win on the final day.

Chasing the unlikely target of 430 in the fourth innings, the hosts looked down and out at 104 for 5, after which Shariar Nafees kept them afloat with a century on the penultimate day. Still, the visitors hit back with late wickets and few expected Bangladesh to survive long on the final day, 197 adrift of their target with three wickets left. As it transpired, Suhrawadi Shuvo - the only positive to come out of the match for the home side, apart from Nafees' heroics - slammed an unbeaten 64 at better than a-run-a-ball to cap his nine-wicket match haul.

The visitors, however, had enough slack to work with and trained their efforts on the other end. Lionel Baker got rid of Nazmul Hossain and Syed Rasel cheaply to take his side to the brink of victory, before Shuvo cut loose. Number 11 Noor Hossain hung around with Shuvo and helped raise 61 for the last wicket before falling to Shane Shillingford and signal the end.

West Indies A 285 (Bravo 102, Shuvo 6-124) and 269 for 6 dec. (Edwards 72, Smith 62, Shuvo 3-104) beat Bangladesh A 125 (Shillingford 4-30) and 315 (Nafees 133, Shuvo 64, Brown 3-60, Baker 3-70) by 114 runs.