IN YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD

• NHT, LIME advancein 30-over KO cricket

National Housing Trust (NHT) defeated National Water Commission (NWC) by six wickets in the second round of the Best Dressed Chicken 30-over KO competition last Sunday at the NWC ground, Mona.

Batting first, NWC made 140 for seven off their allotted 30 overs - Chris Senior 44, Duran Whyte 26; Romeo Parker 3-18, Bevon Brown 2-33. NHT replied with 142 for four off 20 overs - Erron Downer 48, Herman Henry 32; Domain Wilson 2-29.

AT CHALMERS AVENUE: LIME defeated Jamaica Broilers by five wickets despite several of their players having to miss the game to represent Melbourne in the Senior Cup final.

Batting first, Broilers made 129 for seven off their 30 overs - Nicoy Lindo 37, Robert Turner 25, Andrew Davis 20; Fitzroy Peterkin 3-23. LIME 133 for five off their 30 overs - Marvin Lobban 60, Peter Colquhoun 20; Fabian Lakeman 3-29.

In other matches, defending champions Jamalco defeated Red Stripe at Jamalco, while Sagicor stopped JNBS at Emmet Park.

Action switches to the second round of the 20/20 competition tomorrow with four matches at two venues.

At Chalmers Avenue, LIME will oppose Red Stripe in the first match at 10 a.m., while Sagicor will meet Digicel in the second match at 2 p.m.

At NWC playing field in Mona, NWC will oppose Jamaica Broilers at 10 a.m., followed by the NHT vs Jamalco match at 2 p.m.

• Berger are BH knockoutdomino champions

Berger Paints won the 2012 Wray & Nephew White Overproof-sponsored Business House KO domino competition, when they defeated National Baking Company 72-70 in the final at NHT Sports Club recently.

Berger advanced to the final following a close three-point win over The Gleaner earlier in the night, while National Baking Company defeated Carib Cement 75-70 to earn their berth.

The KO trophy was presented to the winning team by Humbert Davis, vice-president and regional coordinator of the National Association of Domino Bodies, which runs the Business House competitions.

• The Gleaner beat cup holders SDC

A new champion will be crowned in Division I of the Wray & Nephew White Overproof Business House domino league after defending champions SDC were soundly beaten by The Gleaner in quarter-final action on Friday, July 20 at the NHT Sports Club, Oxford Road.

The Gleaner looked potential champions with an impressive 149-125 victory over the outgoing champions. They will now meet Jamaica Fire Brigade in one semi-final, after the firemen stopped Wray & Nephew 141-128 in quarter-final action on the same night.

Significantly, Jamaica Fire Brigade have beaten The Gleaner twice in preliminary-round action this season - home and away.

Also advancing to the semis were Jamaica Brandy by virtue of a 117-111 win over former champions Seprod, and National Baking Company, who defeated Kingston Wharves 136-122 in the fourth quarter-final match.

Jamaica Brandy will meet National Baking Company in the other semi-final. The final will be played on Friday, August 3.

In Division II action, newcomers Jamaica Observer scored a huge upset in the quarter-final, beating Churches Credit Union 150-138. Pepsi defeated NHT 160-127, UWI stopped Carib Cement 150-141 and the unbeaten Courts beat Tropical Battery 160-154. Courts will face Pepsi in one semi-final and Jamaica Observer vs UWI in the other.

• The Gleaner, JTA ontop in BH basketball

The Gleaner chalked up their ninth win from as many matches in Division II of the Business House three-on-three basketball league on Wednesday, whipping UTech 28-17 at the Stadium Courts.

Omar Wolfe, the competition's MVP of last season, scored a game-high 13 points for The Gleaner, while Keneil Allen supported with 12.

On Monday, the 'newsmen' defeated VMBS 39-26 with Wolfe knocking down 23 points and Allen 16.

Meanwhile, last year's beaten finalists, Jamaica Teachers' Association (JTA) Credit Union, are unbeaten in five Division I matches.

On Monday, July 23 at the Stadium Courts, the JTA clipped former champions MegaMart 43-42 in an exciting contest. Dave Blackwood, who plays for Urban Knights in the NBL, scored a game-high 29 points for JTA, while Robert Virgo sunk 14 for MegaMart.

Former champions Grace Cannings hold down second position in Division One, losing their only match to MegaMart. They defeated Digicel 32-27 on Monday, thanks to 15 points from Kevin Daley.

Play in both divisions continue on Mondays and Wednesdays.

• Wray & Nephewskittles continue

The Wray & Nephew White Overproof skittles competition continues tomorrow with six matches scheduled.

These are Eastern All-Stars vs Mister C in the first match at Starliner Skittles Club, Waltham Park Road in another Premier League match starting at 1 p.m., home team Starliner vs Rowe's Strikers in the second match at 4 p.m., and defending champions Eagles vs Waltham at Eagles, Hughenden Plaza, starting at 4 p.m.

In the Major League, Mister C 'B' will oppose Dragon in the first match at the The Dip in Gregory Park, while The Dip will meet Mystix in the second match at 4 p.m. And leaders Olympic Strikers will oppose Lady Strikers at Eagles, Hughenden Plaza.

Last Sunday, Eagles suffered their first defeat of the season. They were beaten 6-5 by home team Rowe's Strikers at Studio 7, Molynes Road.

• St Catherine win SouthCentral Confed U13

St Catherine have been confirmed as the 2012 winners of the Juici Patties South Central Confed Under-13 leagues, following a 3-1 over Clarendon at Prison Oval on Wednesday.

St Catherine jumped to an unassailable 13 points with just one round of matches to conclude. St Elizabeth are closest on 8 points and will finish as runner-up in this category regardless of their final encounter against the new champions on Tuesday. These two teams will represent the Confed in the all-island confed competition.

The Under-15 championship is a straight fight between Manchester and St Catherine heading into Tuesday's final leg. Both are locked at the top of the standings on 12 points, with Manchester having a slightly better goal difference. In midweek action, Manchester took over the lead after trouncing St Elizabeth 6-0 at Brooks Park to record the highest margin of victory this season.

St Catherine were 3-1 winners over Clarendon. The competition takes a break today as the region pays respect to its longstanding youth football coordinator and scout, John Green, who will be buried today after a ceremony at the St Garbiel's Anglican Church on Church Street, Clarendon. His body will be cremated.

• Clarendon BusinessHouse round-up

The 2012 Clarendon Business House season continues tomorrow at Mineral Heights Community Park with four games.

At 7 a.m. there will be a double-header (played at the same time) featuring Young's Sports vs Stop Light Supermarket and May Pen Hospital vs Chef's Restaurant.

At 8 a.m. another double-header is scheduled, which features Parts a Lot vs Farmers and Daily Delicious vs parish's Firemen team.

In action earlier this week, Daily Delicious were beaten by Epic Hardware 1-2, Young's Sports and Hospital drew 1-1, Fire Brigade lost to Farmers 0-2, Parts a Lot and Bigman Security ended 2-2, while Parkview Supermarket and Juici Patties were tied 1-1. Moby's were awarded three points and a 3-0 scoreline after NWC failed to show.

• Alphanso Davis Cup continues today

The inaugural Alphanso Davis Cup, a preseason schoolboy football weekend tournament organised by coach of 2008 finalists Spalding, Courtney Jackson, continues today with a double-header at Brooks Park.

The four teams participating are Manning Cup teams Calabar and St Jago and daCosta representatives Vere Technical and hosts Spalding High.

Today's schedule sees a matchup between Calabar and St Jago at 2 p.m., while at 3:30 p.m., Spalding clash with Vere. Both games are scheduled for 70 minutes.

The competition then takes a one-day break tomorrow. The final round will be played on Monday, also at Brooks Park, with Calabar vs Vere at 2 p.m. and at 3:30 p.m., it will be Spalding vs St Jago.

• Porus Youth League kicks off

Manchester's longest-running Summer Youth tournament - the Western Union-sponsored Porus Youth league - will kick off tomorrow at the Porus Community Centre.

Thirteen teams, including defending champions Settlement, are down to participate. Traditionally, the tournament caters for Under-16 youth from within the parish and mainly Clarendon. However, the organisers have for the first time made a change to facilitate Under-17 players.

Sponsorship this year is one million dollars and include as part of each day's schedule a host of promotional ventures and prizes to specially mark Grace's 90th anniversary, as well as Jamaica's 50th.

Teams are drawn into two zones. Zone A will comprise Settlement, first-time entrants Fogo Road of Clarendon, Tuff Gong, Harmons, Chill Zone and Russia.

Zone B will field first-timers Village Strikers, Connection, Rising Starts, Broadleaf, Studds, Genius and St John Basco Boys.

The opening day features a dress parade, which will be followed by a double-header. The first game features Village Strikers and Connection, while the defending champions take on the newcomers in the second encounter.

• New Bowens join JFL second round cast

New Bowens slammed a weakened Port team 5-0 to book their spot alongside Juventus (Zone B), Napoli (Zone C) and Top Hill (Zone A) in the second round of the Jamalco Football League (JFL).

Richard Allen was the hero, scoring a hat-trick. The win also pivoted New Bowens ahead of Juventus on goal difference.

A second hat-trick was achieved in midweek action when Owen Gordon netted three times in Invincible's 5-0 win over Raymonds. Invincible have moved to seven points and in the process forced a three-way tie with Savannah and Top Halse Hall. Top Halse Hall, however, have the best goal difference of the three.

The league continues tomorrow with two games, with action shifted from the Wembley Stadium to the Harmons Excellence Centre. South Manchester take on Hunts Pen at 2 p.m., while in the feature at 4 p.m., the host Harmons are up against Mocho.

• Expect another goal-fest for Portmore

Free-scoring Portmore United are expected to win handsomely as they oppose Monza in the Pines Imaging Centre-sponsored Portmore U-17 Football League feature match of a double-header at Greater Portmore Sports Complex tomorrow, match time 3 p.m.

Portmore have been on fire all season, and in their last game against Racing United they pumped in eight goals, after they went into the half-time break up 6-0. Monza, in the meantime, defeated minnows Bridgeport 4-2.

Portmore lead the zone with maximum 15 points from five matches and should cop zone honours easily. In the opening game at the venue, Greater Portmore take on Naggo Head at 1 p.m. In other games, Cedar Grove will be smiling all the way to the Christian Pen field, as they face lowly-placed Bridgeport in a 3 p.m. match, while at 1 p.m. Christian Pen square off against Silverstone.

In other encounters, Rodwood, the defending champs, play Garveymeade at 1 p.m. at the Westchester field to open a double-header at the venue, while at 3 p.m. Westchester welcome Dunbeholden, at the Cumberland High Shcool field, Braeton United will take the challenge to Zone A leaders Wanderers (16 points) at 1 p.m., while at 3 p.m. Cumberland square off against Watson Grove. At the Hellshire playing field, Hellshire play Racing United in the 1 p.m. opener, while at 3 p.m., Daytona take on East Portmore Portals.

• Colin Fagan domino tourney to be launched

The official launch of the Colin Fagan-sponsored St Catherine South East Constituency Domino League takes place tomorrow at the Garveymeade Sports Club, starting at 2 p.m.

The league has attracted nine teams from across the constituency. Member of Parliament for South East St Catherine, Colin Fagan, the main sponsor, will officially declare the league open. The teams will be playing for cash prizes and trophies. At the end of the launch, defending champs Passagefort United will oppose a select All-Stars team.

• Portmore set to advance

Defending champions Portmore United (four points) are set to join already qualified Cumberland (10 points) in the semi-final of the Colin Fagan-sponsored Portmore U-15 Football League when they face a relatively easy opponent in Reid's Pen in their penultimate match in Zone B at the Passagefort playing field this afternoon at 3:00. A win for Portmore, who were held 1-1 by Cumberland last Monday, will see them taking their place among Cumberland from Zone B and the Zone A winner, Wanderers and the runners-up East Portmore Portals.

• PFM turn tables

Power of Faith recovered from a preliminary round loss to Bethel Born Again (BBA) and returned the favour with a convincing 9-4 triumph in the inaugural Power of Faith Ministries (PFM) Church Netball Rally in the final at Lot 10C court, PFM, Portmore Town Centre, last Saturday.

In the final between PFM and BBA, at the end of the first five minutes PFM were leading 5-3. PFM then opened up a five-point gap (8-3) with three unanswered points and by this time BBA lost their bearings and were beaten 9-4. After more than 10 rounds, BBA won all of their matches and ended with a perfect 10 points and advanced to the final. Two teams - PFM and 65 Waltham Park New Testament - finished with the same number of points and goal difference was used as a tie-breaker. PFM advanced with a plus 12 goal difference, while Waltham had a plus eight.

• Gully football returns to Braeton Phase 3

The highly anticipated Braeton Phase 3 'Gully League' is back due to overwhelming demand. The league was last played in 2007. The 2012 version of the Gully League in Breaton Phase 3 Gully, across from the Texaco gas station in Portmore, will be on Independence Day (Monday, August 6) with two categories, Masters and U-17. Entry fee - Masters $2000, U-17 $1500.00. First-place award - masters $20,000, U-17 - $15,000. Other prizes and trophies to be awarded.

The event is made possible through a collaboration between the Braeton Phase 3 Police Youth Club and the man behind the Gully, League, Orville 'Chippy' Irons. The Braeton Phase 3 Police Youth Club will contribute to the celebration with philanthropic activities in sports, education and community development.

For more information, contact Verdane Wright at 372-0480 or verdanewright@yahoo.com, Alisha Dyer 779-8644, and Orville 'Chippy' Irons 442-0987.

• Church Netball League to begin August 4

The inaugural Power of Faith Ministries (PFM) netball league begins on August 4 with two matches at Power of Faith Ministries court, Lot 10C, Portmore Town Centre. The games are as follows. At 1 p.m., PFM tackle Holiness Apostolic and at 2:15 p.m. Old Harbour New Testament challenge Cedar Grove Baptist. There are eight teams in the competition.

Power of Faith will be having their family fun day at Jamalco in May Pen, Clarendon, this Saturday, beginning at about 9:30 a.m. Meanwhile, besides the games, players will take part in prayer and fellowship.

• Church Pen shock Old Harbour Bay

Church Pen FC created one of the biggest upsets of this year's Central St Catherine U-17 Football League as they stunned defending champs Old Harbour Bay United 1-0 recently. The all-important goal was scored by Nicholas Brooks in the 69th minute. Despite the loss, Old Harbour Bay still lead Zone A with nine points from four games, while Church Pen jumped into second place on eight points. Bodles, who edged Benberry 2-1, are in third spot on seven points.

In Zone B, Royal Lakes stayed unbeaten as they chalked up their fourth straight win, with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Albion. Nathaneal Leslie (40th) and Rohan Pearson (90th) scored for Royal Lakes, while Darren Grant (70th) netted for Albion. Lakes now lead Zone B with 12 points, followed by Albion (nine points) and Windsor Lions (seven points), who edged DB Basovak 2-1. Federal also won, blanking Meadows 3-0.

In Zone C, Walks Road continued their impressive run as they defeated Angels 2-0 to snatch their fourth win in a row. Andre Mitchell (28th) and Alton Ranger (85th) scored for Walks Road. In other games in the zone, Flamingo swamped minnows Ensom City 9-0, while Eltham Park edged Black Lion 2-1.

In Zone D, Spanish Town Police Youth Club made it four straight wins as they whipped Tredegar Park 5-0. Five different players etched their names on the scoresheet. They were Hakeem Francis (14th), Romario Jarrett (44th), Kemar Pinnock (45th), Jevaughn Millington (69th) and Chevaughn Lindsay (74th). In other games in the zone, Rivoli defeated New Raiders 3-1 and De la Vega City defeated Tryall Heights 4-0.

CAPTION: Marva Bernard (left), president of the Jamaica Netball Association, cheers members of the victorious Sunshine Girls team, which won the 2012 American Federation of Netball Associations (AFNA) Championships, while they sang during an appreciation function, which was hosted by Best Dressed Chicken at Scotchies in Kingston on Wednesday. The Jamaica netball players are from (right) Sabrina Spence, Patricia McCalla, Kimone Tulloch, Sasha-Gay Lynch and Vanessa Walker. - Rudolph Brown/Photographer