分类： sports

The ISSA DaCosta Cup quarter-finals commenced on Saturday with a series of electrifying matches, delivering both decisive victories and hard-fought draws across Jamaica. Former titleholders Cornwall College and Glenmuir High emerged victorious in Group A, setting a competitive tone for the knockout stage.

In a tense Montego Bay encounter, Cornwall College secured a 2-0 win against McGrath High despite being reduced to ten men late in the game. The breakthrough came in the 66th minute when Shakeen Gibson executed a brilliant dribble into the six-yard box, drawing the goalkeeper and defenders before delivering a precise pass to Carlondo Morris for an easy finish. The match intensified when Cornwall’s goalkeeper Carlyle Tingling received a straight red card in the 88th minute. Nevertheless, substitute Shaheem Bernard sealed the victory in stoppage time with a 22-yard free kick that bewildered McGrath’s goalkeeper Orlando Griffiths.

Meanwhile, a thrilling Clarendon derby saw Glenmuir High edge out Kemps Hill High 3-2 in a high-scoring affair. Glenmuir established a commanding 2-0 lead within 39 minutes through Oneil Headley and Dunsting Cohen. Despite a resilient comeback effort from Kemps Hill, which included a goal in the 76th minute, Orel Miller extended Glenmuir’s lead to 3-1 in the 89th minute. A late consolation goal from Kemps Hill in added time proved insufficient to alter the outcome.

Group B witnessed two intensely competitive draws. St Elizabeth Technical High (STETHS) and Clarendon College battled to a 1-1 stalemate, with Kaieem Lewis converting a 50th-minute penalty for STETHS before Rwanie Rampasaul equalized for Clarendon just seven minutes later. Similarly, Dinthill Technical High and Christiana High concluded their match deadlocked at 1-1, ensuring all four teams remain tightly contested in the group standings.

The results position Cornwall College and Glenmuir favorably in Group A, while Group B remains perfectly balanced heading into the next round of fixtures.

In a spectacular display of dominance, Herbert Morrison Technical achieved an extraordinary 108-2 victory against Muschett High in Thursday’s Under-16 ISSA Rural Area Zone A basketball matchup. The game, held at Herbert Morrison’s home court, marks their second consecutive decisive win following last week’s 94-30 triumph over York Castle High.

The match transformed into a showcase of offensive brilliance as four Herbert Morrison players scored in double digits. Shemar Russell and Michael Johnson jointly led the scoring charge with 22 points each. Russell delivered a remarkable triple-double performance, additionally securing 12 rebounds and 14 steals. Significant contributions came from Antonio Kerr with 14 points and 6 rebounds, and Tyler Linton with 10 points and 11 steals.

Herbert Morrison established overwhelming control from the opening quarter, concluding the first period with a 22-0 advantage. By halftime, the lead had expanded to 45-2, followed by a second-half shutout that produced 63 unanswered points.

Meanwhile, the institution’s Under-19 contest against Ocho Rios High encountered premature termination due to inclement weather. Herbert Morrison maintained a commanding 37-5 lead with approximately five minutes remaining in the first half. Joshua Ferguson had impressed with 15 points, exclusively from three-point shots.

In related tournament action, Munro College secured dual victories against Christiana High in Zone B competitions. Their Under-16 squad orchestrated a 33-17 comeback win, propelled by Sheldon Forrester’s 19-point performance. The Under-19 encounter witnessed Munro overcoming two separate deficits to claim a 33-26 victory, with Keneil Moodie leading scorers at 17 points.

Zone A witnessed York Castle High achieving redemption with a 66-49 Under-19 victory against Ocho Rios High. Christian Andorn’s exceptional 36-point performance, complemented by Chadrick McFarlane’s 23 points, powered a determined comeback after trailing early in the contest.

Jamaica’s national women’s football team delivered a historic performance with an unprecedented 18-0 victory against Dominica in their FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifier at Daren Sammy Cricket Stadium in St. Lucia on November 29. Despite setting a new national record that surpassed their previous 14-0 achievement against St. Lucia in 2014, team captain Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw maintains a grounded perspective, emphasizing the need for continued refinement rather than celebration.

The Reggae Girlz demonstrated exceptional offensive prowess with multiple players achieving hat-tricks. Shaw herself contributed three goals during the fourth, 39th, and 43rd minutes, marking her 60th international goal for Jamaica. Teammates Kalyssa Van Zanten and Jody Brown matched this achievement with triple goals of their own, while Deneisha Blackwood, Natasha Thomas, and Shaneil Buckley each secured two goals. Atlanta Primus and Shania Hayles completed the dominant display with additional scores.

Shaw, who recently returned to the squad after a break, highlighted the professional execution but identified areas for enhancement: ‘We scored numerous goals but could have been more clinical. This is something we must develop further.’ The Manchester City striker views her leadership role as both privilege and responsibility, particularly given Jamaica’s pursuit of a third consecutive World Cup appearance.

Beyond athletic aspirations, Shaw recognizes the team’s significance as a source of national pride during challenging times in Jamaica. She emphasized the collective leadership within the squad, noting how veteran players and emerging talents collaboratively elevate performance standards both on and off the field. This shared responsibility framework creates a supportive environment where players mutually encourage and challenge each other toward continuous improvement.

In a remarkable career milestone, esteemed horse trainer Lawrence Freemantle has secured his 300th victory as he approaches retirement. The historic win was achieved on Saturday, November 29, 2025, when Phoenix Risen, ridden by jockey Demar Williams, triumphed in the three-year-old and upward Optional Claiming event. The race, featuring competitors aged six-years-old and upward (non-winners of three), covered four furlongs (800 meters), with Phoenix Risen winning by a decisive length and a half margin.

Freemantle, who began his training career in 2001, described the achievement as “an overwhelming feeling” in exclusive comments to the Jamaica Observer’s Supreme Racing Guide. Despite recent competitive breaks due to limited quality horses, the veteran trainer strategically programmed his return specifically for this milestone.

Reflecting on his journey, Freemantle acknowledged the special significance of both his first winner, King of the Band with jockey Leo Miller, and this 300th victory. When identifying career highlights, he immediately cited Mr Skill as his standout performer – a horse with whom he achieved an exceptional record of 12 wins from 22 starts, progressing from $350,000 claiming level to Overnight Allowance status.

The trainer, who has also handled notable horses including Military Move and Natural Desire, characterized his overall career as “very good” with substantial shares of winnings and strong performances. Though approaching retirement, Freemantle hinted at continued competition, smilingly noting he still has “a few shots left to fire” before concluding his distinguished tenure in horse racing.

Caymanas Park prepares to host the fourth edition of the US$40,000 Chairman’s Plate this weekend, featuring a competitive field of twelve horses in an Overnight Allowance race. The event, set at a challenging distance of nine furlongs and 25 yards (1,820 meters), is open to thoroughbreds aged three and upward.

Defending champion Run Julie Run emerges as the horse to beat following her strong third-place finish in the Jamaica Cup behind top competitors Mojito and Girvano. The classy filly has demonstrated exceptional capability at this distance and appears well-positioned to reclaim victory.

American contender Divine Force presents a significant threat after displaying impressive late acceleration to secure third place in his November outing over 7½ furlongs. His powerful stretch running style suggests he could dominate at this longer two-turn distance, making him a dangerous competitor.

Jamaica Derby winner I Dream Again enters the race despite recent disappointing performances at this level. The three-year-old bypassed the Mouttet Mile specifically for this event and is anticipated to deliver a much stronger showing.

Other notable entries include consistent performer Blue Vinyl, who should find this distance more suitable than his previous Gold Cup appearance, and Unruly Mo, another American import who appears well-suited to the extended distance.

The field also contains several outsiders with limited winning prospects, including Oil Machine, Immeasurable Joy, Provident, Neo Star, Pretty Perfect, Sheer Delight, and Mack And Rome, all facing significant class challenges against the favored contenders.

In a breathtaking display of equine dominance, two-year-old colt Sir Don secured a monumental victory in the $2-million Mr Sensational Trophy at Caymanas Park on Saturday, November 29, 2025. Trained by Anthony Nunes and ridden by jockey Raddesh Roman, the American-bred bay colt demolished the competition by an extraordinary 16 ¼ lengths.

Sir Don completed the 7-furlong Restricted Stakes race with an impressive time of 1:26.1, maintaining his perfect record with three consecutive wins. The victory showcased both the colt’s raw talent and strategic racing intelligence as he initially held back before unleashing an unstoppable burst of speed in the final stretch.

Trainer Nunes expressed measured satisfaction with the performance, revealing that the team had trained the colt lightly for this event. “We were hoping he would use his class and stay the seven furlongs, and he did that, which was nice,” Nunes commented to the Jamaica Observer’s The Supreme Racing Guide.

Despite the decisive win, Nunes maintained a pragmatic outlook regarding Sir Don’s future. The trainer indicated careful consideration would determine whether the colt would compete in one final December event or be rested until the following racing season. Nunes acknowledged that while Sir Don has demonstrated exceptional ability, the true test would come when facing horses of comparable talent in future competitions.

The race unfolded with strategic precision as Sir Don broke well and established an early lead ahead of Midnight Traveller (Tevin Foster), God’s Plan (Omar Walker), and Salute The Don (Dane Dawkins). Rather than maintaining relentless pressure, jockey Roman strategically eased the tempo at the half-mile turn, allowing competitors to close within a length before unleashing Sir Don’s full power in the final stretch.

Salute The Don secured second place while Fernando (Tajay Suckoo) finished third in the contest that highlighted Sir Don’s emerging status as a potentially exceptional racing prospect.