分类： sports

In a spectacular display of cricketing prowess, Trinidad and Tobago’s women’s team secured their place in the Bolivarian Games final with a decisive 74-run victory against Barbados on December 6 in Ayacucho-Lima, Peru. Maintaining an impeccable tournament record with four consecutive wins, the TT squad demonstrated exceptional skill both with the bat and ball.

After being sent to bat first, TT posted a competitive total of 120/7 in their allotted 20 overs. The innings was anchored by veteran batter Britney Cooper, who delivered a masterful 53 runs from 48 deliveries, including seven boundaries and one maximum. Young talent Samara Ramnath provided crucial support with her 21-run contribution from 24 balls. Despite early setbacks that saw openers Shunelle Sawh and Djenaba Joseph dismissed within the first eight overs, the 61-run partnership between Cooper and Ramnath proved instrumental in building a defendable total.

Barbados’ bowling attack was led by Erin Deane, who claimed three wickets for 23 runs, while Elecia Bowman secured one for eight.

The Bajans’ response with the bat quickly unraveled against TT’s disciplined bowling unit. Restricted to a mere 16/2 during the powerplay, Barbados never found momentum against TT’s spin duo of Karishma Ramharack (1/5) and Anisa Mohammed (2/4). The batting collapse intensified as pacer Kirbyina Alexander dominated with remarkable figures of 3/4, supported by Brianna Harricharan’s 2/9. Barbados ultimately collapsed to 46 all out in 19.3 overs, falling dramatically short of the target.

With this commanding performance, the TT women advance to the December 7 final with tremendous momentum, while setting the stage for an additional showdown between TT and Barbados in the men’s championship match.

In a spectacular display of youthful talent, the Soca Strikers Under-19 team commenced their campaign in the TT Cricket Board’s Under-23 Cup with an emphatic nine-wicket triumph against the Scarlet Blazers at Brian Lara Cricket Academy on December 5.

The match witnessed two extraordinary individual performances that defined the contest. Opening batsman Saleem Khan delivered a masterclass with an unbeaten 107 runs from 109 deliveries, showcasing his batting prowess with 11 boundaries and three maximums. Meanwhile, West Indies under-19 representative Brendan Boodoo demonstrated bowling excellence with a devastating five-wicket haul that dismantled the opposition’s batting lineup.

The Scarlet Blazers, opting to bat first after winning the toss, struggled to establish momentum against the Strikers’ disciplined attack. Despite a resilient half-century from Sachin Emrit (50 not out) and contributions from R. Yearwood (39) and captain Rajeev Ramnath (20), the Blazers collapsed from a relatively comfortable 137-4 to a meager 190 all out in 41.2 overs. Boodoo’s leg-spin wizardry proved particularly destructive, claiming five wickets for just 21 runs across eight overs.

Chasing a modest target of 191, the Soca Strikers exhibited clinical efficiency. Though they lost an early wicket at 56 runs, Khan partnered with Aadi Ramsaran (61 not out) to forge an unbroken 140-run stand for the second wicket. Their dominant partnership guided the Strikers to victory at 196-1 with more than ten overs remaining, highlighting the team’s batting depth and composure under pressure.

The tournament continues with upcoming fixtures featuring Steelpan Titans and Cocrico Warriors at the National Cricket Centre in Couva, culminating in a final showdown at Brian Lara Cricket Academy on December 13.

Santa Rosa Park in Arima prepares for an exhilarating climax to the 2025 racing season with the prestigious Grade One Stewards Cup, scheduled for December 6. The featured event, contested over 1,200 meters on the main track, will showcase five exceptional thoroughbreds competing for one of Caribbean racing’s most coveted titles.

Heading the competitive field is the 2025 Tanglewood Hello World champion, positioned as the pre-race favorite following impressive recent performances. The field features formidable challengers including Triple Crown winner Headliner and American-bred contender The Goddess Nike, trained by renowned conditioner John O’Brien. Completing the elite roster are Sneaky Cheeky, representing trainer Ramesh Ramroop, and locally-bred standout C’est La Vie under the guidance of Jimmy Rampersad.

The racing program extends beyond the headline event, featuring the penultimate day of the season with six total races. The fourth race presents an intriguing matchup between 2025 Trinidad Derby runner-up Have A Great Day and third-place finisher Valiante, both testing their capabilities against experienced older competitors.

Adding international flair to the card, two simulcast events from Jamaica’s Caymanas Park will be incorporated: the Bruceontheloose Sprint Trophy (J$15,000,000 purse) and the prestigious Mouttet Mile (J$45,000,000 purse). The Mouttet Mile notably features Rideallday, an American-bred runner co-owned by Olympic sprint champion Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce among other female owners, trained by Phillip Feanny.

Racing commences at 12:45 PM, with the Stewards Cup scheduled for approximately 3:45 PM, offering turf enthusiasts a full afternoon of world-class thoroughbred competition.

The National Cycling Centre in Balmain, Couva transforms into a hub of athletic excellence this weekend as Trinidad and Tobago proudly hosts the 2025 Carifta Gymnastics Championships on December 6-7. This prestigious regional event brings together more than 200 elite gymnasts from across the Caribbean basin, representing nations including the Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Curaçao, Cayman Islands, Jamaica, and the host nation.

Trinidad and Tobago enters the competition as defending overall champions, having delivered a spectacular performance at the 2024 edition where they dominated the podium with an impressive medal tally of 72 gold, 61 silver, and 28 bronze medals. The host nation fields a formidable contingent of 61 qualified athletes who will compete across multiple divisions, including eight exceptional gymnasts who have earned the rare distinction of qualifying for both USAG (USA Gymnastics) and PAGU/FIG (Pan American Gymnastics Union/International Gymnastics Federation) categories.

The competition spotlight shines brightly on Tots and Tumblers standouts Sidney Charles and Dailia Burke, who headline Trinidad and Tobago’s representation in the prestigious 16-and-over FIG senior elite category. These athletes lead a talented roster that includes Olympic Wolfpack’s promising trio—Zariah Dopwell-Gittens, Yliana-Rose Sancho, and Asia Ali—who will compete in the PAGU 1 nine-to-11 division alongside Tots & Tumblers’ Kaydence Fortune.

Trinidad and Tobago’s comprehensive team representation spans multiple competitive levels, showcasing the depth of the nation’s gymnastics program. From Level 1 beginners to elite FIG competitors, athletes from various training academies including Thema Williams Academy, Olympia Wolfpack, Academic Flippers, and Gymnastics Explorers will demonstrate their technical prowess and artistic excellence throughout the two-day championship event.

The Carifta Gymnastics Championships not only serve as a platform for regional competition but also as a crucial developmental opportunity for Caribbean athletes to gain international experience and showcase their skills on a competitive stage. The event promises to deliver thrilling performances as gymnasts vie for individual honors and team glory while strengthening the bonds of sportsmanship across the Caribbean community.

CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand — Defying age and absence, 37-year-old West Indies pace bowler Kemar Roach delivered a masterclass in Test cricket resilience during the first Test against New Zealand at Hagley Oval. Recalled to the squad after an 11-month hiatus from the longest format, Roach claimed his 12th five-wicket haul with impressive figures of 5/78 in New Zealand’s second innings, temporarily stifling the Black Caps’ dominance and showcasing his enduring class.

Roach’s surgical dismantling of the middle and lower order on day four proved particularly historic: he now stands just nine wickets away from joining the legendary quartet of Courtney Walsh, Curtly Ambrose, Malcolm Marshall, and Lance Gibbs as the only West Indian bowlers to reach 300 Test wickets.

The Barbadian seamer, brought into the side as injury cover for Alzarri Joseph and Shamar Joseph, spoke candidly about his perpetual need to prove his worth. “I’m always one who has to try and prove himself. I’ve always been that person,” Roach reflected during the post-day press conference. “Test cricket remains the highest level, and performing here brings me immense joy.”

Now in his 86th Test match, Roach balances personal milestones with team ambitions. “I try not to think about 300 too much, but it’s in the back of my mind. My main objective is to be professional, play my best cricket, and influence wins.”

As the elder statesman in a youthful pace attack featuring Jayden Seales (24), Johann Layne (22), and debutant Ojay Shields (29), Roach embraces his mentoring role. “It’s refreshing to be around the youth—they keep me laughing. Being back in West Indies colours and performing is what I take to heart.”

Despite a mammoth target of 531, the West Indies ended day four at 212/4, fueled by Shai Hope’s unbeaten century and Justin Greaves’ resilient support. With New Zealand pace duo Matt Henry and Nathan Smith nursing injuries, Roach believes an against-the-odds victory is within reach. “500 runs is a lot, but their bowling setbacks play into our hands. We’ll come up with a plan and go for the win.”

The 2026 FIFA World Cup draw has set the stage for dramatic encounters between footballing giants and ambitious underdogs, with Caribbean nations receiving particularly challenging assignments. Curacao, the smallest nation ever to qualify for the tournament with a population of merely 156,000, will face four-time champions Germany in their opening match of Group E. Under coach Dick Advocaat, the island nation that surprisingly topped CONCACAF’s final qualifying group ahead of Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago will also battle Ecuador and Ivory Coast.

Other Caribbean qualifiers face equally daunting prospects. Haiti finds itself in the formidable Group C alongside five-time champions Brazil, Morocco, and Scotland. Panama, another CONCACAF success story, must navigate Group L against Croatia, England, and Ghana in what promises to be a highly competitive bracket.

Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz face an additional hurdle, requiring victory in an intercontinental playoff against Congo and New Caledonia for entry into Group K, where Colombia, Portugal, and Uzbekistan await. The expanded 48-team tournament will commence on June 11 with a replay of the 2010 opener between Mexico and South Africa.

Defending champions Argentina, currently ranked second by FIFA, headline Group J alongside Algeria, Austria, and debutants Jordan. Top-ranked Spain will confront two-time winners Uruguay, Saudi Arabia, and World Cup newcomers Cape Verde in Group H.

Tournament favorites face varied paths: 2022 runners-up France meet Norway, Senegal, and a playoff winner from Bolivia, Iraq, or Suriname in Group I. Host nations received mixed fortunes—Canada will face Qatar, Switzerland, and a European playoff winner in Group B, while the United States meets Australia, Paraguay, and another European playoff victor in Group D.

The complete group composition showcases football’s global expansion, blending traditional powerhouses with emerging football nations across twelve groups that promise unprecedented competitive diversity.

In a dramatic display of contrasting outcomes at the Bolivarian Games in Ayacucho-Lima, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago’s cricket teams witnessed radically different results on December 5th. The women’s squad delivered a commanding performance to secure their place in the championship final, while the men’s team suffered their first tournament defeat against Barbados.

The TT women’s team demonstrated exceptional bowling prowess against Jamaica for the second consecutive day, dismissing their opponents for a meager 58 runs. Eighteen-year-old off-spinner Samara Ramnath emerged as the standout performer with impressive figures of 4/11 from her four overs. Veteran players Lee Ann Kirby and Anisa Mohammed provided crucial support with identical bowling statistics of 2/9 each. Jamaica’s batting lineup collapsed dramatically after reaching 44/2, losing their final eight wickets for just 14 runs.

Despite an early batting stumble that saw TT reduced to 13/2, experienced campaigner Britney Cooper orchestrated a spectacular recovery with an explosive unbeaten 33 from just 18 deliveries. Her innings, featuring three boundaries and two sixes, propelled the team to an eight-wicket victory with more than eleven overs to spare.

Meanwhile, the TT men’s team encountered significant challenges against Barbados, falling to a 34-run defeat despite earlier victories against Jamaica and hosts Peru. Barbados posted a competitive total of 150/5, anchored by opener Shian Brathwaite’s composed unbeaten 63 from 58 balls. The TT bowling attack was led by allrounder Teshawn Castro (2/21) and left-arm spinner Damion Joachim (2/33).

The TT chase began disastrously, collapsing to 27/4 within seven overs. Although captain Vikash Mohan (27) and Dejourn Charles (39) staged a partial recovery with a 46-run partnership, the team ultimately folded for 116 in the penultimate over. Barbados’ left-arm seamer Jerome Jones proved instrumental with bowling figures of 3/27.

The women’s team will complete their round-robin stage against Barbados on December 6th before advancing to the championship final on December 7th. The men’s squad awaits their final placement while hoping for another opportunity to compete for the title.

Naparima College secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory against St Augustine Secondary in the Coca-Cola Intercol semifinal at Ato Boldon Stadium on December 5, keeping their ambitious triple crown pursuit alive. The decisive moment arrived in the 55th minute when star striker Riquelme Phillips converted a penalty kick with clinical precision, slotting the ball into the lower right corner as goalkeeper Tyrese Henry dove in the opposite direction.

The match showcased contrasting styles, with Naparima dominating possession and creating numerous scoring opportunities throughout the contest. Phillips, along with attacking midfielder Jacob O’Reilly and winger Arron Raymond, consistently threatened St Augustine’s defense with penetrating runs and multiple attempts on goal. However, Henry delivered an exceptional performance between the posts, making several crucial saves to keep his team in contention.

St Augustine, nicknamed the ‘Green Machine,’ mounted intense pressure in the final 15 minutes, displaying remarkable resilience despite being outplayed for much of the match. Captain Giovanni Hospedales led the offensive surge alongside Elijah Baptiste and substitute Jayden Solozano, but they struggled to break through Naparima’s organized defensive wall comprising Antonio Hills, Elijah Edwards, and Sebastian James.

The penalty decision proved controversial, awarded after an in-swinging corner bounced awkwardly and struck St Augustine defender Mikel Murray on the arm. Despite the setback, St Augustine’s late aggressive push nearly produced an equalizer, creating tense moments for Naparima coach Angus Eve on the sidelines.

With this victory, Naparima moves one step closer to achieving a historic triple crown, having already secured the SSFL league title and South zone Intercol championship earlier this season.