分类： sports

Kavem Hodge’s resilient unbeaten century has ignited West Indies’ resurgence on day three of the third Test against New Zealand at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui. The right-handed batsman displayed remarkable composure in his 254-ball 109-run knock, guiding the visitors to 381/6 in response to New Zealand’s commanding first-innings total of 575/8 declared.

The Caribbean side, resuming at 110 without loss, encountered early setbacks as openers John Campbell (45) and Brandon King (63) fell in quick succession to Jacob Duffy’s pace bowling. With regular captain Shai Hope sidelined by illness, wicketkeeper-batsman Tevin Imlach promoted to number four contributed a crucial 66-run third-wicket partnership with Hodge before departing to Michael Rae’s delivery.

Hodge’s technical proficiency shone through as he orchestrated two vital middle-order partnerships—first adding 61 runs with Alick Athanaze (45) and then 81 runs with allrounder Justin Greaves (43). The 32-year-old Dominican batsman struck 14 boundaries in his marathon innings, demonstrating exceptional shot selection and patience against New Zealand’s varied attack.

The Black Caps still maintain a substantial 194-run lead, with left-arm spinner Ajaz Patel (2/94) and Duffy (2/79) being the most successful bowlers. Anderson Phillip (12 not out) survived a late scare when Rae dropped a difficult chance off Patel, ensuring Hodge would return on day four to continue his pursuit of a career-best Test score.

West Indies’ batting performance marked a significant improvement from their previous displays in the series, particularly through Hodge’s masterclass in concentration and shot execution against both pace and spin bowling.

In a dramatic evening of TT Premier Football League action on December 19, reigning champions Defence Force ascended to the league’s summit with a commanding 5-2 victory over Terminix La Horquetta Rangers, overcoming an unexpected 18-minute stadium blackout that threatened to derail their momentum.

The match at Phase 2 La Horquetta recreation ground witnessed extraordinary drama when illumination towers failed abruptly in the 86th minute with Defence Force leading 4-2. Following an extensive delay, play resumed under restored lighting, allowing substitute Caden Trestrail to seal the victory deep into stoppage time with a deflected strike that ricocheted off defender Isaiah Raymond into the net.

Defence Force’s offensive dominance was established early through a multifaceted attacking display. Phillip Tinto initiated the scoring in the 14th minute with a precise header from Joshua Araujo-Wilson’s corner. Despite Rangers’ temporary equalizer via Kesean St Rose’s clinical finish in the 33rd minute, the military team responded with relentless pressure. Kathon St Hillaire’s exquisite looping header in the 37th minute and winger Kaihim Thomas’s well-placed finish just before halftime established a commanding 3-1 advantage.

Though Ricardo Williams reignited Rangers’ hopes with a deflected goal in the 52nd minute, Thomas extinguished the comeback with his second goal—an impressive chest-and-volley combination in the 73rd minute that demonstrated technical excellence.

The victory propelled Defence Force (20 points) past both Police FC (19 points) and Club Sando (18 points) to claim pole position in the standings.

In the evening’s preliminary match, San Juan Jabloteh edged MIC Central FC Reboot 4-3 in a breathtaking goal fest. Substitute Dwight Jordan emerged as the hero, converting a clever Jaheim Faustin pass in stoppage time to secure three vital points. The match featured dramatic momentum shifts, including a Jamal Jack own goal, a Daniel David penalty, and a brace from Malachi Webb that kept spectators enthralled until the final whistle.

Trinidad and Tobago’s Under-17 women’s football team faced tournament elimination following a 2-1 defeat against Jamaica in the DecembHER Football – Jewels of the Caribbean competition on December 17. The critical match at Sangre Grande Recreational Ground witnessed dramatic developments including a red card and power outage that impacted gameplay dynamics.

Jamaica established an early advantage in the 22nd minute when Ricquanna Richards capitalized on a rebound after Trinidadian goalkeeper Zofia Richards initially blocked a sharp-angled attempt. The Caribbean rivals maintained intense pressure until Nikita Gosine equalized for Trinidad and Tobago via a powerfully converted penalty kick in the 32nd minute.

The match’s momentum shifted decisively during first-half stoppage time when Trinidadian defender Gyasi Lewis received a straight red card for a professional foul, reducing the squad to ten players for the entire second period. Despite numerical disadvantage, Trinidad and Tobago demonstrated resilient defensive organization until Beth Miller’s 56th-minute breakthrough secured Jamaica’s victory. Miller exhibited exceptional technical control to navigate a long aerial pass before finishing from close range after her initial shot was parried.

An unexpected power interruption temporarily suspended play in the 63rd minute, adding another layer of disruption to Trinidad and Tobago’s comeback efforts. The defeat follows Trinidad’s 4-0 opening loss to United States-based club Indy Premier SC, confirming their elimination from final contention.

In related tournament action, Jamaica’s Under-20 squad drew 2-2 with Indy Premier SC at Hasely Crawford Stadium on December 18, with both teams accumulating four points in group standings. Trinidad and Tobago’s Under-20 team was scheduled to conclude group stage proceedings against a Trinidad Women’s League Football selection following press deadlines.

The 2025 RBC Junior Tennis Tournament concluded in spectacular fashion at Trinidad’s National Racquet Centre in Tacarigua on December 18, with emerging stars Makeda Bain and Christopher Khan delivering exceptional performances across multiple age categories.

Christopher Khan demonstrated remarkable mental fortitude in the boys’ Under-16 singles final against top-seeded Josiah Hills. After dropping the first set 3-6, Khan mounted a impressive comeback to claim the second set 6-4, forcing a decisive third set. The thrilling contest reached its climax with Khan securing an 11-9 victory in the final set tiebreak. Khan’s triumph extended to the Under-18 category where he received a walkover victory as Hills was unable to compete in the scheduled final.

Makeda Bain mirrored Khan’s success with her own double championship achievement. In the girls’ Under-16 final, Bain overcame a determined challenge from Cyra Ramcharan, prevailing with identical 6-4 set scores. Her Under-18 final appearance against Madison Khan showcased Bain’s competitive resilience as she recovered from a first-set deficit (5-7) to dominate the subsequent sets 6-2, 6-1.

Bain completed her tournament supremacy by capturing the senior girls’ doubles title alongside Madison Khan, defeating the sister pairing of Cyra and Suri Ramcharan with a commanding 6-0, 6-2 victory.

The tournament featured numerous other notable performances across various age divisions. Augustus Wiley claimed the division two senior boys’ singles title against Nathan Agarwal (5-3, 4-2), while Zayden Sagramsingh emerged victorious in a tightly contested boys’ 10-and-Under final against Ryan Chin (2-4, 4-2, 10-5).

In girls’ competition, Samiyah Mohammed captured the 14-and-Under singles championship after a three-set battle with Suri Ramcharan (6-4, 1-6, 10-8), while Soraya Ali triumphed in division two senior girls’ singles against Daniella Sambrano (5-4, 4-2).

The doubles competitions concluded with Nirav Dougdeen and Josiah Hills claiming the senior boys’ title after a hard-fought match against Oliver Harragin and Christopher Khan (6-7, 6-4, 11-9).

Trinidad’s emerging football stars showcased their skills to international college coaches during the three-day 2025 Football Combine and Showcase held at TTDF Reserve Grounds in Macqueripe from December 12-14. The collaborative event, organized by the Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL), Next Level Performance TT (NLP), and youth development program Pro Series, drew praise from American college scouts who witnessed exceptional talent among both male and female participants.

Junior Galvan, assistant coach of Butler Community College’s women’s program, and Grace Houchin, assistant coach for both men’s and women’s programs at Murray State College, were among the international observers assessing approximately 80 young athletes. They were joined by former Trinidad and Tobago national team player Leslie “Tiger” Fitzpatrick, now head of Pro Player Pathway at New York Red Bulls Academy, who provided professional evaluation of the prospects.

The combine revealed several standout performers across gender divisions. Among female participants, defender Kaitlyn Darwent and attacking midfielder Orielle captured attention on the opening day, with Ty’Kaiya Dennis, Zyesha Potts, and St Joseph’s Convent Port of Spain duo Scarlett Cole and Daneelyah Salandy maintaining strong performances throughout the event. The male contingent featured impressive displays from Fatima College’s Seth Hadeed and Phillip Nelson, St Anthony’s College representatives Jaeden Bobb and Adriel Faure, Joshua Miguel from St Mary’s College, Queen’s Royal College’s Jalano Straker, and St Benedict’s College playmaker Josiah Ochoa.

NLP celebrated the third edition of the combine as a resounding success, noting representation from athletes across all zones of Trinidad and Tobago, including members of current under-20 and under-17 national teams. Visiting coaches expressed particular admiration for both the technical quality and cultural environment, with many indicating eagerness to return for future recruitment opportunities.

Coach Galvan emphasized the significance of cultural background in player development, stating, “The culture plays a massive role in the kid’s talent, but also the person. I met amazing kids with great people skills willing to be coachable and that’s a testament to their families.” Coach Houchin added, “The NLP Combine was an amazing opportunity for not only myself as a coach to experience first-hand the amazing young talent of TT, but also for the players to showcase themselves.”

The organization clarified that the combine represents merely the beginning of recruitment possibilities, as their digital platform continues to provide exposure for all participants. Through the Next Level Performance TT App, athletes maintain connectivity with coaches from National Junior College Athletic Association, National College Athletic Association, and National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics programs, ensuring ongoing scouting opportunities beyond the live event.

The Trinidad and Tobago Premier Football League (TTPFL) continues its intense December schedule with defending champions Defence Force aiming to maintain their winning momentum against bottom-placed Terminix La Horquetta Rangers. The highly anticipated clash will serve as the evening fixture of a December 19 double-header at La Horquetta Recreation Grounds, commencing at 8 pm.

Defence Force enters the match following a crucial 2-1 victory over third-ranked Prisons in their previous outing. The army unit demonstrated tactical precision with goals from playmaker Adriel George and defender Sheldon Bateau securing three valuable points. This result elevated Defence Force to 14 points from six matches, positioning them within striking distance of league leaders.

A triumph against Rangers would propel Defence Force to 17 points, narrowing the gap to just two points behind frontrunners Miscellaneous Police FC. The championship race remains exceptionally tight, with Police, Club Sando, and Prisons all scheduled to play their subsequent matches on December 20.

Meanwhile, Terminix La Horquetta Rangers confront the encounter from a precarious position, languishing in 11th place with merely four points from seven fixtures. Their recent 2-1 defeat to San Juan Jabloteh extended their disappointing run, making this match critical for reversing their fortunes.

The evening’s opening match at 6 pm will feature San Juan Jabloteh against Central FC, setting the stage for the weekend’s football action. The competition intensifies further on December 20 when the top two teams, Police and Club Sando, clash at St James Police Barracks in what promises to be a championship-defining encounter.

Additional fixtures include Prisons Service versus AC Port of Spain at the barracks, while December 21 will see action shift to Mahaica Sporting Complex where FC Phoenix face Eagles FC and Caledonia AIA challenge Point Fortin Civic.

The current league standings reveal Police FC maintaining top position with 19 points, closely pursued by Club Sando with 18 points. The relegation battle sees Eagles FC anchored at the bottom with a single point from seven matches, highlighting the league’s competitive dichotomy.