In Your Neighbourhood
Published:Saturday | April 6, 2013 | 12:00 AM
Jones, Kellier winSista skittles titles
Dane Jones from Eagles Strikers and Jacinth 'Gigi' Kellier from Rowe's Strikers emerged the Jamaica Skittles Federation/Sista singles champions of their respective categories at the Bourbon House Sports Bar, 133 Windward Road, last Sunday.
Jones defeated former champion Nehemiah 'Fatta' Henry 4-1 in the best-of-seven open singles final to secure the $60,000 prize and trophy, while Kellier, a former president of the Jamaica Skittles Association in the '90s, blanked Camille Clarke 2-0 in the women's final to capture the $10,000 prize.
Jones, the former Eagles Strikers captain, twice hit down the 'five pin' in the first game, but rallied to beat Henry 1210-530 in the first game. However, Henry fought back strongly to level the scores in the second game.
Jones then came into his own to regain the lead in the third game and proceeded to outclass his opponent by winning four in a row, turning the final into a one-sided affair.
Jones, who started playing competitively at age 12 in the mid-'90s for Track Price Plus alongside his late father Rocky Jones, pulled and cut some beautiful shots into the difficult major hole and sealed the issue when he occupied the table for most of the fifth game to leave Henry a mere spectator.
In the play-off for third, Eagles' captain Clinton 'Fly Up' Thompson defeated Garfield 'Milligram' Samuels from Rowe's Strikers to secure the $20,000 prize.
Kellier, meanwhile, said she was happy to have won the title after a nine-year absence from the sport she once governed, returning two years ago.
BH football seasonbegins April 27
The 2013 KSAFA/Western Sports Business House (BH) Football season kicks off on Saturday, April 27, with the one-day five-a-side competition at the Natonal Water Commission playing field, Mona, starting at 10 a.m.
Twenty-three teams are expected to compete, 10 in division one and 13 in division two. The competition has attracted two new teams in Metrobade Security, coached by Calvert Fitzgerald, and Continental Enterprise. Both will contest division two.
Among the teams in division one are last year's triple champions Petrojam, former champions Scotiabank, Carib Cement and The Gleaner, along with last season's division two champions National Commercial Bank and the runners-up GraceKennedy, both promoted.
Manchester Major League semi-finals
Both semi-finals of the 2013 Captain's Bakery & Grill-sponsored Manchester Football Association Major League will be hosted at Kirkvine Sports Club tomorrow.
At 3 p.m., Porus take on Mile Gully, while at 3:45, Alligator Pond match strides with three-time champions Downs. Both games will be played on separate fields, but are so scheduled to accommodate viewing by all the camps.
In last weekend's final set of preliminary games, Downs condemned Villa United to relegation with a 3-0 win, Porus slammed Comfort 6-1, Mile Gully broke the hearts of Greenvale 1-0, while Alligator Pond outscored Hill Stars 3-2.
Both Downs and Porus finished on 27 points, but the former have a far better goal differential. Mile Gully's win ended the hopes of Greenvale - who had looked on course two weekends ago - to book a spot to the semi-finals. It was Greenvale's second straight loss, following on the heels of their embarrassing crash against cellar team Hill Stars. Alligator Pond's win continued their excellent first-time run at this level.
Downs' experience could prove the difference over Alligator Pond, whom they narrowly defeated in the first round. The return game was drawn. The games between Mile Gully and Porus were shared, with each garnering a victory.
Jamalco back on top
Jamalco replaced the development side of Premier League outfit, Sporting Central Academy, as leaders in the Captain's Bakery & Grill-sponsored Clarendon Football Association Major League.
Over a week, Jamalco notched their sixth and seventh wins while Sporting had only one scheduled game, which they won 4-0 over Milk River. Sporting are on 19 points, but Jamalco's latest wins took them to 21. They were registered victories against Comfort (5-0) and neighbours New Bowens (1-0) on Thursday.
Jamalco's next encounter is against Original Hazard next Monday, but they will have to wait until April 15 for their following fixture, against the development side of Humble Lion. It means Sporting will have ample chances to reclaim the lead atop the standings.
In other results from this week's round of matches, Monymusk edged York Town 1-0, Woodhall outscored Summerfield 2-1, so, too, did Original Hazard over Rock River, while Humble Lion and New Bowens ended 0-0.
Albion lead Manchester Div Two
Albion surged to the top of the Manchester Football Association Division Two football competition following a 2-1 win over neighbours May Day. It was Albion's third win in four matches. They have displaced early leaders Grey Ground, who have been stuck on seven points.
In other results earlier this week, Plouden pummelled South Stars 4-0, while Old England had a 1-0 win over Sunset Stars. These results have reshaped the standings, creating a mad scramble for positioning among the 18 teams.
Albion, on 10 points, have now opened up a three-point lead on the trio of Grey Ground, Old England and Plouden. A whopping five teams come next on six points, leaving the New Green development side in 10th place on four points. Three teams have three points with Hanbury in 14th place on two points. Of the remaining four, three have a point only, while cellar team Hills United are yet to score.
Jamalco Open League netball
The Jamalco Open League netball competition, run by the Clarendon Netball Association, will reconvene tomorrow with round four at Mineral Heights Sports Complex, following a break last weekend because of the Easter holidays.
The day's programme, which begins at 1:30 p.m., will see the following matches scheduled in order: Holmwood B vs Bushy Park; Denbigh B vs May Day; Holmwood A vs Fogo Road B; Vere Technical vs Holmwood C ; Old Harbour vs Fogo Road A; Jamalco vs Manchester B; Manchester A vs Hayes All Stars; Glenmuir B vs Cable Pro; Seven Stars vs Sewell Lane; Glenmuir A vs Caanan Heights; Denbigh A vs Chapelton; Central High vs Humble Lion.
In the previous round, Jamalco and Hayes All Stars recorded their third straight victories. Jamalco won 23-4 over Denbigh B, while Hayes stamped their class over Glenmuir B, winning 36-6.
Second-ranked team Cable Pro, who were absent from the second-round fixtures, garnered their second win in as many matches, 29-9 over Manchester High A. In other results from the third round, Denbigh A completed the widest margin of victory, slamming Fogo Road B 44-1, Fogo Road A taught Vere a lesson, winning 38-7, and Holmwood C embarrassed Old Harbour 38-10.
In the remaining set of games, Humble Lion earned their first victory with a 17-14 win over Glenmuir A, Manchester High B got the better of May Day 26-16, Caanan Heights won 19-5 over Central High, while Bushy Park waltzed past Seven Star 22-4.
Pat Anderson Manchester U17
Mile Gully slammed Blue Mountain 6-0 on Thursday to record the biggest win of the newly renamed Pat Anderson Under-17 football competition, which is run by the Manchester Football Association.
Shevon Harriott and Stephen Salmon both scored two goals while there was one each from Andre Wilson and Wanyna Johnson.
It was the first game played since the competition opened two weekends ago at the Kirkvine Sports Complex. On that day, Christiana Academy won 3-2 over Downs while Alligator Pond edged Villa 1-0.
Three games are scheduled for Monday. At Manchester High, Manchester Academy will meet Cross Keys, at Porus High, the hosts entertain Comfort, while at deCarteret College, DC strikers take on May Day.
Anderson, 78, is now retired and is a life member of both the Manchester FA and the governing body for the sport in Jamaica, the Jamaica Football Federation.
Albion, Christian Pen advance to final
Favourites Albion United were held 2-2 by a resilient Dunbeholden in the second-leg semi-final of the LIME St Catherine FA Division One Football League at Spanish Town Prison Oval last Sunday. Albion, however, came away with a 5-3 aggregate win to progress to the final where they will meet New Raiders. Mark Morris (sixth) and Sheldon McKay (56th) scored for Albion, while Adrian Williams (24th, 60th), scored Dunbeholden's goals. The first leg ended 3-1 in favour of Albion.
Christian Pen needed penalties to stave off the challenge of Old Harbour Bay United in their Major League semi-final tie. Devon 'Brazil' Wilson gave Christian Pen a 67th-minute lead before Jason Grant (76th) forced the game into extra time. The game eventually ended in penalties and Christian Pen prevailed 5-4. They will face DB Basovak in the final.
Three stalwarts receive Wilco Sports awards
Three stalwarts of cricket in Jamaica received the Wilco Sports Special Achievement Award during the presentation awards ceremony jointly for the Wray & Nephew-sponsored Senior Twenty20 Cricket League and the Milo Under-15 Cricket League at Ken's Wildflower Restaurant and Lounge last Tuesday. This year's recipients were Nehemiah Perry, David Bernard Sr, and Robert Taylor.
Perry played for Jamaica Youth in 1980. He represented Jamaica's senior team from 1987 to 2004. He also represented the West Indies from1999-2000, playing four Tests and 21 one-day internationals.
In 1999, he played his first Test cricket match for WI at Sabina Park vs Australia, against whom he took five wickets for 74 runs. He also represented Kingston Cricket Club in the National Senior Cup competition from 1984 to 2009.
Bernard is the physical trainer for Kensington Cricket Club and Jamaica from 1984 to present. This man has seen a lot of Jamaica's regional victories and is still fit and healthy at age 66.
Due to a serious injury, Robert Taylor wasn't able to play the game he loved. However, this didn't deter him one bit. While manager at West Indies Paper Products, he developed players from Boys' Town, Greenwich Farm, Spanish Town Road, Union Gardens and also assembled a champion cricket team at his company, winning the Rankin Cup and the Henriques Cup. He was also able to secure jobs for players, some of whom went on to play for Jamaica and the West Indies.
Charles Simpson, the CEO of Wilco Sports, for 14 years, observed these people in the cricket fraternity that have served their respective clubs and Jamaica with "undying love and commitment".
Simpson said that, over the years, some of these awardees have served cricket in Jamaica and have not been officially recognised for their efforts.
North St Catherine league
Leaders Lluidas Vale (20 points) only need a draw to cop the North St Catherine Football League when they meet second-place Marcus Garvey FC (18 points) at the Brammy Clarke Sports Complex in Ewarton, St Catherine, tomorrow, starting at 3:30 p.m.
Two other games are on, but they are only of academic interest. FC Technical play the opening game against third-place Palm United (13 points) at the venue at 1:30 p.m., while Benbow United tackle Time and Patience at Cheesefield.
Cumberland cop league title
Cumberland FC copped their second trophy in three days, as they won the LIME Portmore Division Two football league after beating Bridgeport 1-0 at Ferdie Neita Park last Sunday. Jovan Hunter's first goal of the season was enough for Cumberland to seize the opportunity after they came into the semi-final as the fourth- seeded team and much wasn't expected of them.
The previous Thursday, Cumberland had won the knockout crown. At the end of the match, Bev Melbourne, of the Portmore Football League (PFL), handed over the championship title to winning captain Othneil Lewis, as his delighted teammates looked on. With the win, Cumberland now return to Division One.
PFM Intl set to join Old Harbour in final
Four-time champions Power of Faith Ministries (PFM) International are overwhelming favourites to beat Gospel Light House as they play a semi-final game this morning at 10 o'clock at Lime Tree Oavl in the PFM Church Twenty20 cricket league. The final will be played next Saturday.
PFM International have in their line-up the destructive batsman Glen Wellington who is expected to get main support from Pete Salmon, a century-maker this season, and Odane Williams.
In last Saturday's semi-final clash at Lime Tree Oval, defending champions Old Harbour New Testament advanced to the final with a 34-run win over Portmore Gospel Assembly. Old Harbour batted first and posted a decent 162-6 off 20 overs. Devoy Smith smashed 61, while Andrew Davis (26) provided major support. Andre Bryce (3-25) and Marvin Darlington (2-37) took most wickets for Portmore Gospel Assembly.
In their turn at bat, Portmore Gospel started well, as two players near the top of the order, Andre Bryce (48 runs) and Marvin Darlington (38 runs) made useful contributions. However, when the wickets started to crumble, the team folded and were restricted to a mere 128-9 in 20 overs. Andre Brown's 4-24 undermined PGA's batting while Miguel Gordon supported with 3-30.
Brother teams clash in domino
Brother teams Fort International and Passagefort United will clash tomorrow in the Portmore/St Catherine Domino League at Myrtle Way, Old Passagefort.
Fort, which is based a stone's throw away on Passagefort Drive, are favoured to win this contest because of their experience and spanking form.
Fort joined three other teams at the top of the standings with 44 points from 12 matches while Passagefort are in 10th place with 28 points.
In other games (home teams named first), Masterpiece vs Eagle View, Black Rooster vs Prozz and Conns, Exceptional International vs Correctional Services, Westchester Rudiz vs Caymanas Track, Colours Sports Club vs Eradication, and Highlight Strikers vs Spring Village. All games begin at 11:30 a.m.
Meanwhile, in a rescheduled match, Island Special Constabulary Force (ISCF) broke their jinx and snapped a three-game losing streak as they defeated Correctional Services 300-297 in an exciting countdown at Port Henderson Road.
ISCF progressed to 34 points and seventh place with the win, while Correctional Services stayed 12th on 26 points. ISCF face another defeat as they play red-hot Caribbean Classic, the 2011 champions, at Classic's home ground.
St Mary FA first-leg semis
First-leg semi-final matches in the St Mary Football Association/Captain's Bakery & Grill-sponsored Major League will be played today at the St Mary Sports Complex (Gray's Inn).
Kicking off the double-header at 2:00 will be Star Cosmos, which finished fourth on 22 points, and Axum, which dominated the preliminaries to finish top of the standings on 36 points.
Albion Mountain, which finished third, also on 22 points, will meet second-placed Grays Inn (25 points) in the other semi-final, which is slated to begin at 4 p.m.
The return semi-finals will see another double-header, which is scheduled for Wednesday, April 10. Again, Axum-Star Cosmos are set to kick off the days proceedings at 2 p.m., followed by Gray's Inn and Albion Mountain at 4:00 p.m.
The winners will advance to the final.
Final standings: Axum 36, Gray's Inn 25, Albion Mountain 22, Star Cosmos 22, Galina 21, Windsor 16, Frazerwood 11, Albany 10, Highgate Under-21 16 and Rangers 3.
Portland Major League
The Portland Football Association Western Union Major League will be looking at fine-tuning preparations heading into the business end of the championship.
With three matches, and four for some remaining, St George's Sports Club have established breathing room at the top of the standings with 31 points, five clear of their nearest challenger, Boundbrook (26). Buff Bay (24) and Eagle Strikers (23) round out what looks certain to be the semi-final grouping as joint fifth-place teams Ujama, Manchioneal and Snow Hill are tied far behind on 13 points.
In one of two matches today, Boundbrook will journey to Jones Park to face Manchioneal. Despite the huge gap on the points table, Boundbrook, with the competition's leading marksman, Tyrone Brown (10 goals), cannot be complacent as, while their opponents have been poor defensively - conceding 28 goals - Manchioneal have two of the best strikers in the competition in Kesslon Hall and Rondee Smith, who have netted nine and seven goals, respectively. Additionally, their 21 goals have only been bettered by St Georges' 37.
That match is set to kick off at 3:30 p.m., the same time as the day's other encounter between second-from-bottom Norwich (10 points) and Ujama at CASE.
St Georges and Buff Bay will meet in what should be a more competitive encounter, in a Buff Bay derby at Lynch Park tomorrow, beginning at 3:30 p.m.. Their previous meeting ended in a tie.
The other Sunday match, set to kick off at the same time, will pit Eagle Strikers as hosts against Snow Hill at Carder Park.