Carib Scope

分类： sports

  • Winning weekend for Saint Lucia in Caribbean youth netball

    Winning weekend for Saint Lucia in Caribbean youth netball

    The Jean Pierre Caribbean Youth Netball Tournament, hosted in Trinidad & Tobago, kicked off its opening weekend with a solid performance from Team Saint Lucia, who left the first two days of competition with an even 2-2 win-loss record after securing back-to-back victories against Antigua & Barbuda and Dominica at the UWI SPEC venue in St Augustine over the weekend.

    Saint Lucia’s starting six, led by captain Naija Ferdinand and featuring Neriah Charlery, Sanya Emmanuel, Indiana James, Nyssa Lascaris, and Tamia Clarke, delivered consistent shooting to claim their opening win against Antigua & Barbuda on Saturday evening, with a final score of 34-14. Charlery dominated the shooting circle, sinking 31 of her 37 attempted shots, and only missed a single attempt in the fourth quarter. Meanwhile, captain Ferdinand maintained a perfect shooting record, converting all three of her attempts on goal. For Antigua & Barbuda, the team made 14 out of 28 total shots to round out the final scoreline.

    The next day, Saint Lucia claimed a second win against Dominica with a tighter 23-17 result. Once again, the pair of Charlery and Ferdinand led the team’s scoring: Charlery landed 13 of 16 attempts, while Ferdinand converted 10 of 12, enough to hold off a late push from Dominica. Dominica shot 53% from its 33 total attempts, falling short of matching Saint Lucia’s offensive output. Following the back-to-back wins, Netball Saint Lucia shared an update on its official social media channels, writing: “Big congrats to Team Saint Lucia on their second victory of the tournament. Not our best showing, but we got the job done, on to the next!”

    After finishing in third place at the 2025 edition of the tournament, Saint Lucia faces a packed week of competition to defend its podium position. The team is scheduled to face the Cayman Islands on Monday evening, followed by a match against Grenada on Tuesday afternoon. Competition will ramp up significantly mid-week, as Saint Lucia takes on undefeated defending champions and tournament hosts Trinidad & Tobago on Wednesday, before closing out its group stage play against Barbados on Thursday.

    This year’s 15-player Saint Lucia squad has a distinctly young profile, with 11 competitors making their first appearance at the Jean Pierre Caribbean Youth Tournament, including starting players James and Clarke. The roster draws athletes from eight different schools and multiple local communities across the island, and is led by head coach Shem Maxwell, assistant coach Jo-Ann Anderson, and team manager Alice Lynch.

  • Portsmouth Football Academy delivers youth football festival through regional partnership

    Portsmouth Football Academy delivers youth football festival through regional partnership

    Last week, Portsmouth, Dominica played host to a dynamic cross-border youth football festival that brought together promising Under-11 and Under-13 players from Dominica and the neighboring French Caribbean territory of Guadeloupe. Organized by the Portsmouth Football Academy in formal partnership with Sport Aid Dominica and Roosevelt Skerrit Bombers FC, the one-day tournament unfolded on April 9, 2026, creating a vibrant stage for young athletes to display their talent, teamwork, and commitment to fair play.

    The successful execution of the event relied on substantial backing from a network of public and private stakeholders. Key supporters included Honorable Fenella Wenham Sheppard, local businesses Trois Piton Water, Roy Larocque, and Benji’s Multi-Trade, alongside the governing Dominica Football Association. Organizers emphasized that this collective support was instrumental in delivering a smoothly run, purpose-driven competition that advances long-term goals for regional youth football.

    In the competitive Under-13 division, Guadeloupe’s Club Sport Guadeloupe delivered an undefeated campaign to claim the division title. The team capped off their impressive run with a decisive 3-0 victory over Dominica’s Newtown JFA in the tournament final. Individual honors for the Under-13 category mirrored the club’s overall success: Djayden BÉNARD of Club Sport Guadeloupe took home Best Goalkeeper, while Zage Campbell of Newtown JFA earned Best Defender. Kylian DURIMEL of Club Sport Guadeloupe claimed dual honors as Best Midfielder and the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, and Tiago PENTIER, also of Club Sport Guadeloupe, finished as the division’s Top Scorer.

    For the Under-11 bracket, which used a round-robin competition format to give every team consistent playing time, Dominica’s Newtown JFA secured the first-place position, outperforming second-place National FA and third-place Portsmouth FA. Individual awards for the Under-11 division went to Zayne Shemiakov for Best Goalkeeper, Zurie Charles for Best Defender, and Dylon Prevost, who took home both Best Midfielder and MVP honors.

    Beyond the final rankings and individual trophies, the festival delivered far-reaching value for the region’s grassroots football ecosystem. The structured, competitive environment gave young players invaluable high-stakes match experience that cannot be replicated in routine training. Organizers also highlighted the event’s critical role in strengthening collaborative ties between Dominica and its Caribbean neighbors, noting that recurring cross-border programs like this lay the groundwork for long-term player development opportunities and reinforce the foundational structure of grassroots football across the region.

    In a closing statement following the tournament, leadership from the Portsmouth Football Academy extended gratitude to all partners, sponsors, coaches, match officials, volunteers, participating parents, and community supporters whose combined efforts made the event a success. The academy affirmed that with ongoing cooperation and sustained support from stakeholders, the Portsmouth community will continue growing its role as an emerging hub for youth football development across Dominica and the wider Caribbean.

  • 13‑year‑old Kaelynna Modeste claims first CARIFTA Medal

    13‑year‑old Kaelynna Modeste claims first CARIFTA Medal

    At the 2026 CARIFTA Games hosted at Grenada’s own Kirani James Athletics Stadium from April 4 to 6, 13-year-old Kaelynna Modeste etched her name into the country’s regional athletics history books, clinching a bronze medal in the Under-17 Women’s Triple Jump and securing her place as one of the youngest Caribbean Free Trade Association Games medalists Grenada has ever produced.

    Competing against a field of older, more seasoned rivals from across the Caribbean region, Modeste delivered a career-defining performance, recording a new personal best jump of 11.32 meters. This mark marked a remarkable nearly one-meter improvement on her previous best performance at the domestic InterCol Games just weeks prior, enough to earn her a spot on the podium. The gold medal went to The Bahamas’ Jazae Johnson, who topped the event with a jump of 12.35 meters, while Jamaica’s Stefvanco Henry claimed silver with a 11.51-meter effort.

    Modeste, a student-athlete at St. Andrew’s Anglican Secondary School (SAASS), has already built an impressive resume on the domestic circuit. She was a key contributor to SAASS’s historic double championship victory at the recent InterCol Games, where the school claimed both boys’ and girls’ team titles. Ahead of her CARIFTA selection, she turned in consistent results throughout the 2025-2026 domestic season: she won the national Under-17 Long Jump title with a 5.22-meter jump, took home gold in the InterCol Sub-Junior Long Jump with a 5.38-meter mark, and earned a silver medal in the Open Triple Jump behind defending champion Christanna Charles with a 10.36-meter effort.

    This bronze medal makes Modeste only the third Grenadian athlete to claim a podium finish in the Under-17 Triple Jump at the CARIFTA Games, following in the footsteps of Charles and fellow Grenadian medalist Nichonier George. Her result pushes Grenada’s all-time medal tally in the regional event to one gold and three bronze medals, underscoring the small island nation’s growing strength in track and field’s discipline events.

    Sports analysts and local athletics officials note that Modeste’s breakout performance at just 13 years old not only adds to Grenada’s growing athletics legacy but also signals a bright future for the young prodigy, as she continues to develop her skill on the regional and international stage.

  • Tevaughn Hall ascends to 3rd in NACAC Rankings

    Tevaughn Hall ascends to 3rd in NACAC Rankings

    The 2026 CARIFTA Games, hosted on home soil in Grenada over the Easter holiday weekend, delivered a historic moment for Grenadian athletics as rising teen hurdler Tevaughn Hall secured a podium finish that ended a 25-year medal drought for the nation in the Under-18 400m hurdles.

    The young Inter-Col Under-17 champion, who represents St Andrews Anglican Secondary School (SAASS), delivered a career-defining performance in front of thousands of cheering local spectators. Hall crossed the finish line in a new personal best of 53.45 seconds to claim the bronze medal, marking a dramatic 1.59-second improvement on his previous record of 55.04 seconds set just weeks earlier at the 2026 Inter-Col competition. SAASS went on to claim its 22nd boys’ team title at that same event, with Hall as one of its standout contributing athletes.

    What makes Hall’s achievement particularly significant is its place in Grenadian track and field history. He is the first Grenadian athlete to earn a medal in any CARIFTA 400m hurdles event in 25 years. The nation’s last medal in the discipline came back in 2001, when Rodney George took home silver with a time of 54.39 seconds – a mark Hall’s new personal best already surpasses.

    Following his standout performance at the regional games, the latest NACAC (North American, Central American, and Caribbean Athletics Association) Outdoor Rankings, updated on April 6, 2026, place Hall third overall in the region for the Under-18 400m hurdles. He trails only Jamaican athletes Oniel Lawrence, the CARIFTA gold medallist, and Kavian Minnot, the silver medallist, cementing his status as the highest-ranked athlete in the event outside of Jamaica, a regional powerhouse in track and field.

    For local fans eager to see the young rising star compete again, the wait will be short. Hall is already scheduled to make his next competitive appearance at the 2026 Classique Lighting Communal Invitational, set to take place on April 25 and 26.

  • Grenada stuns St Lucia in Windward Islands U19 Tournament

    Grenada stuns St Lucia in Windward Islands U19 Tournament

    The WINLOTT Super 6 Windward Islands U19 Tournament served up a thrilling comeback story on Sunday, 12 April 2026, at Dominica’s Benjamin’s Park, where Grenada’s under-19 men’s cricket side pulled off a dramatic win against St Lucia, powered by a career-best performance from young spinner Shamel Hillaire.

    Coming into the fixture, both sides carried contrasting momentum. Grenada was still bouncing back from a underwhelming defeat in their tournament opener, while St Lucia entered the match brimming with confidence after a lopsided win over St Vincent and the Grenadines. A brief rain shower pushed back the start of play, but once the action got underway, Grenada won the pre-match toss and opted to set a target batting first.

    Grenada’s batting innings got off to a disastrous start. The team lost their first wicket with just 8 runs on the board, when opening batsman Jordan John was clean-bowled for 5. Raekeim Lewis Charles followed just overs later, trapped leg before wicket for 11, leaving the Grenada camp reeling at 2 wickets down early. With St Lucia’s bowlers consistently hitting tight lines, runs proved difficult to come by, and Kemile Abraham’s attempt to steady the innings could not halt the wicket column. By the 14th over, Grenada had slumped to 42 runs for the loss of 4 wickets.

    A small but critical recovery followed, as Abraham and Hillaire put together a steady partnership to push the total up to 74 for 5 before another wicket fell. St Lucia’s bowling attack never let up on the pressure, however, and Grenada was eventually bowled out all out for 123 runs. Abraham finished as the team’s top scorer with 24 runs, while the best of the other contributions came from Jayonn Henry (16), Hillaire (12), Lewis Charles (11) and Jeremy Edwards, who finished not out on 11. For St Lucia, Bjorn Fanis led the bowling attack with impressive figures of 3 wickets for just 23 runs, receiving solid support from captain Theo Edward (2 for 20) and Cody Fontenelle (2 for 26), while Nathaniel Joseph and Tyler Venner each picked up one wicket apiece.

    Chasing a modest target of 124 runs to win, St Lucia only needed just over 3 runs per over to secure victory, and the early stages of their innings suggested they would cruise to a comfortable win. But Grenada’s bowlers had other plans, launching a clinical fightback that turned the match on its head.

    Pace bowler Aaron Edwards struck early blows, removing both of St Lucia’s opening batsmen – captain Theo Edward for 15 and Roystan Fannis for 9 – to leave St Lucia at 43 for 2 after 8 overs. Just three balls after Edwards’ second wicket, left-arm spinner Aravinda Bishop extended Grenada’s advantage by dismissing Jonathan Daniel lbw, dropping St Lucia to 43 for 3.

    A brief recovery pushed St Lucia to 73 for 3, but it was not enough to withstand the spin pressure that Grenada brought to bear. Bishop and Hillaire triggered a catastrophic collapse that saw St Lucia lose their final 7 wickets for just 30 runs, folding all out for 103 runs to hand Grenada a 20-run victory.

    Making his first tournament appearance after sitting out the opening match on the bench, Hillaire delivered a match-winning spell, finishing with sensational figures of 6 wickets for 26 runs from just 5.4 overs. The standout performance earned the young bowler well-deserved Man of the Match honours. Edwards backed up Hillaire with 2 wickets for 13 runs from 5 overs, while Bishop claimed 1 wicket for 20 runs to cap a dominant bowling display from Grenada.

    After the match, Grenada captain Khavaughn Bartholomew highlighted his side’s resilience following their opening loss, crediting the team’s adjusted game plan for the win. “I just want to thank the Lord for the opportunity. We didn’t get it right with the batting, but we came through with the bowling. We put the ball in the right areas, got early wickets and put them under pressure. The spinners played a massive role. The man of the match wasn’t with us yesterday, so we made a change, and you can see it worked.”

    Speaking after picking up his award, Hillaire said he had remained confident he would get his chance to contribute after starting the tournament on the bench. “I first want to thank God for the opportunity. We didn’t bat well today, but we came out on the field and fought until we won. I had faith that I would do well. I was on the bench yesterday, but I knew my time would come.”

    The result moves Grenada into third place in the tournament standings, trailing early leaders St Lucia and defending champions Dominica. Up next, Grenada will return to action on Tuesday, 14 April 2026, to take on St Vincent and the Grenadines as the round-robin phase of the tournament continues.

  • Coaches Banking on Clinical Execution from Players in Revised West Indies Championship

    Coaches Banking on Clinical Execution from Players in Revised West Indies Championship

    The 2026 edition of the West Indies Championship kicked off its opening day of play on Sunday, launching a restructured tournament that has sparked measured anticipation across all competing franchises’ coaching and management teams, based in St John’s, Antigua. Unlike previous iterations of the regional elite cricket tournament, this year’s competition introduces a revamped structural framework: each side will compete in a three-match bilateral series against opponents, with the top-ranked team by cumulative points earning an automatic berth in the tournament final. The second and third-place finishers will face off in a knockout playoff to claim the remaining final spot.

    Three-time consecutive defending champions the Guyana Harpy Eagles return to the pitch as one of the tournament’s strongest title contenders. Ryan Hercules, the franchise’s head coach, emphasized that the newly implemented format injects fresh competitive tension into the tournament, pushing players to raise their overall performance standard. “For our franchise, every competitive opportunity is a chance to integrate and develop emerging young talent into our core setup as early as possible,” Hercules explained. “With a condensed match schedule this year, players will need to adapt rapidly to the new rhythm and make the most of this narrow window to deliver standout results.”

    Kenroy Peters, head coach of the Windward Islands Volcanoes, expressed guarded optimism about his squad, noting that the team was constructed around a long-term sustainability strategy. “Our selection process prioritizes roster continuity, and we recognize the need to give young players who cut their teeth with the Academy and Combined Campuses & Colleges teams the chance to compete at this level for the Windwards,” Peters said. “We have a five-year development roadmap in place, and this tournament is a key milestone in that plan. The young players we’ve trusted with positions have already gotten off to an impressive start.”

    Rayad Emrit, a former West Indies national team player now leading the Trinidad & Tobago Red Force as head coach, said his side is leaning on its core professional values to navigate the revised format. “Our group is fully professional, and everyone understands what is required of us. We come into this tournament with one clear goal: to advance to the later stages. But to get there, we have to focus on one match, one day at a time,” Emrit stated.

    For the Leeward Islands Hurricanes, pre-tournament preparation followed a deliberate, methodical plan, with pre-season training camps launching as early as January under the direction of head coach Steve Liburd. “We started back in January with foundational technical work, then gradually ramped up our intensity, adding net sessions and scenario-based match drills in the final month leading up to the tournament,” Liburd shared. “When you enter any elite level competition, your first goal is to win the title. Second, you want to develop players that can earn call-ups to the senior West Indies national side – that includes fringe candidates and players who lost their spots and are hungry to earn their way back.”

    Coaches across multiple franchises have highlighted unforeseen benefits of the new bilateral series structure. For Peters, the format creates a unique opportunity for players to build consistent performance over consecutive matches against the same opponent. “One big advantage of this format is that you face the same opposition three times in a row, which lets players settle into a rhythm instead of adjusting to new opponents every few days. Our goal is to win this championship for the first time in our history, and our squad has the drive and determination to get that done,” Peters said.

    Liburd echoed this assessment, noting that the new format closely mirrors the structure of international cricket. “Even with matches played across different venues, the bilateral setup gives you enough time to develop targeted strategies against a single opponent, just like you do in international cricket. As the series progresses, you get to test how well your game planning adapts to the opposition’s strengths and weaknesses,” he explained.

    Hercules, who led Guyana to three straight titles, echoed the point that facing the same opposition repeatedly gives batters a major strategic advantage. “When you see the same bowling line-up over three matches, working with our team analyst, batters can build a clear understanding of what they will face. Even if the opposition makes a substitution, we’ve already had the chance to assess the two or three reserve bowlers they can bring in, so we can counter their threats far more quickly than we could in an older round-robin format,” he said.

    Across all franchises, coaching staff agree that pre-tournament strategy and months of preparation can only set the stage for success. At the end of the day, results will depend on disciplined, clinical on-field execution from players in every match. Coaches have expressed confidence that their squads will step up and deliver on their assigned roles to compete for the regional title.

  • CONCACAF Women’s World Cup 2027 Qualifiers : Presentation of the Grenadières’ technical team

    CONCACAF Women’s World Cup 2027 Qualifiers : Presentation of the Grenadières’ technical team

    As the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup CONCACAF qualification campaign reaches a critical turning point, Haiti’s women’s national soccer team, the Grenadières, has formally introduced its complete technical and support staff that will steer the squad through the final stretch of group stage play. Headlined by experienced Swedish tactician Pia Marina Sundhage, the assembled team of specialists has already made an early impact, guiding the Grenadières to a dominant 5-0 victory over Anguilla in their previous qualifying fixture.

    The newly presented full roster of backroom staff brings together a diverse mix of international and local expertise tailored to support players both on the training pitch and in competitive match settings. Alongside head coach Sundhage, the staff includes Erik Fahlstrom, who serves as the squad’s dedicated goalkeeping coach, Gunnvor Halmiy as lead fitness coach, and Birgit Gutke filling the role of assistant coach. Rounding out the off-field team are Francesca Joseph as team manager, Alicia Garulli and Claire Guyon as dual physiotherapists tasked with player recovery and injury prevention, and Anders Johansson working as video analyst to prepare scouting reports and tactical breakdowns for upcoming opponents. This multi-faceted support structure is designed to address every aspect of the team’s performance, from physical conditioning and injury management to tactical preparation, helping players reach their full potential as they chase qualification for the 2027 Women’s World Cup.

    The Grenadières’ next and final group stage fixture is scheduled for April 17, 2026, with kickoff set for 2:00 p.m. local time at Guadeloupe’s Roger Zami Stadium, where the Haitian side will face off against regional rival Dominican Republic. The outcome of this match will play a key role in determining the Grenadières’ advancement in the CONCACAF qualification pathway, building on their strong opening result against Anguilla to keep their World Cup dreams alive.

  • Antigua Elite Gymnastics Team Secures 16 Medals in Regional Debut, Finishes Second Overall

    Antigua Elite Gymnastics Team Secures 16 Medals in Regional Debut, Finishes Second Overall

    In a remarkable debut showing on the regional competitive stage, Antigua Elite Gymnastics Academy has turned heads with an outstanding performance, clinching 16 medals and securing the second spot in the overall standings against a field of tough competitors from across the Caribbean.

    The young Antiguan gymnasts went head-to-head with roughly 300 fellow athletes hailing from three of the region’s stronger gymnastics programs: Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, and Jamaica. Beyond their impressive medal haul, the team achieved a rare sweep of all-around podium positions, taking home first, second, and third place all-around trophies — a feat that underscores the depth of talent the academy has cultivated in its early stages.

    Following the conclusion of the competition, leadership at the Antigua Elite Gymnastics Academy released an official statement celebrating their athletes’ achievements. The academy highlighted the poise and self-assurance each competitor displayed from the first rotation through the final event, noting that even under the pressure of their first major regional outing, the young gymnasts maintained steady focus and performed to the best of their abilities. The organization called the result “a wonderful experience and a strong start” to what it hopes will be a long and successful journey of growth in competitive gymnastics for the program and its athletes.

    This successful debut does more than just add a collection of medals to the academy’s trophy case. It also signals a bright, promising future for the emerging gymnastics community across Antigua and Barbuda. As the country continues to invest in developing youth talent and growing its footprint in competitive gymnastics across the Caribbean region, this standout performance serves as early proof that the foundation being built is already producing world-class young athletes.

  • ‘WE ARE IN FRONT’

    ‘WE ARE IN FRONT’

    The opening day of the latest West Indies Championship four-day clash between Jamaica Scorpions and Barbados Pride at St Catherine’s Chedwin Park delivered a dramatic twist of fortunes, with Jamaica’s head coach Robert Haynes insisting his side still holds the advantage after a testing day in the field.

    Electing to bat first after winning the toss, the visiting Pride got off to a disastrous start, collapsing to 23 for three inside the opening seven overs. Fast bowler Marquino Mindley tore through the top of the order, dismissing Pride captain Kraigg Brathwaite and opening batsman Jonathan Drakes, while new ball partner Ojay Shields claimed the wicket of Shane Moseley to put the Scorpions firmly in control early on.

    That early advantage was all but erased by a resilient counterattack, however, as Kevin Wickham and Kyle Mayers stitched together a match-turning 117-run partnership to steady the Pride innings. Mayers fell for a well-compiled 64, but Wickham continued his aggressive strokeplay to notch a spectacular personal century, finishing the day unbeaten in spectacular fashion with an innings of 153 that included six fours and a staggering 12 sixes. Useful lower-order contributions from Shamar Springer (40) and Joshua Bishop (37) pushed the Pride total past the 300 mark before the Scorpions bowling attack fought back to limit the damage.

    Mindley and off-spinner Peat Salmon led the Jamaica bowling effort, each claiming four wickets, while Brad Barnes took the remaining one to restrict Barbados to 348 all out from 81.4 overs. The result means the Scorpions need another 332 runs to claim valuable first-innings points, and they closed the day’s play having already survived six overs, reaching 17 for no loss before stumps. Left-handed batsmen Kirk McKenzie (8 not out) and captain John Campbell (3 not out) will resume the innings for the hosts at 10:00 am on Monday, with no wickets lost.

    Haynes acknowledged that his side’s bowling was not at its most consistent on a flat Chedwin Park pitch, which produced occasional unpredictable low bounce, but underlined that the points table puts Jamaica ahead entering the second day. “It’s funny, because they would have gotten two batting points and we got 10 wickets — we would have gotten three points — so overall right now we are in front,” he explained.

    Haynes reserved special praise for match-winner Mindley, calling his performance exceptional. “He really bowled well, he bowled straight — wicket to wicket — and he got the reward. Peat bowled a good spell and he could have done better, but overall it wasn’t the best bowling performance. But at the end of the day, we still have to go here and bat. At 17 without losing a wicket after six overs, it’s a good start.”

    The Jamaica coaching staff faced minor controversy ahead of the match after selecting a side that omitted home-grown left-arm spinner Jeavor Royal, who would have been playing on his home ground. Haynes defended the selection choice, noting that the team’s long-standing success against Barbados with off-spinners, paired with Brad Barnes’ six-wicket haul against the Pride in Barbados last season, justified the call. “Peat has gotten wickets before against them and, at the end of the day, we just felt that on this surface, the off-spinners would have done a lot better. It’s just for us to come back, get these runs, and go back out there and try and bowl out Barbados.”

  • MBU book JPL play-off spot after 6-0 win over Spanish Town

    MBU book JPL play-off spot after 6-0 win over Spanish Town

    In a landmark moment for Jamaican domestic football, Montego Bay United (MBU) made history on Sunday as the first club to lock in a place in the Jamaica Premier League playoffs, turning in a ruthless 6-0 demolition of Spanish Town Police at St James’ Jarrett Park.

    The lopsided result pushed MBU to its 19th win of the season, lifting the side to 65 total points. With this gap at the top of the table, the club is mathematically guaranteed to finish no lower than sixth position, securing an early ticket to the postseason. Deonjay Brown stole the show with a two-goal brace, leading the charge for the victorious side, while other contributors spread the goals across the roster to cement the blowout.

    The game’s scoring opened early, when Brazilian attacker Lucas Lima curled a precision strike past Spanish Town Police goalkeeper Glenroy Samuel into the left side of the net in the 15th minute. Brian Brown doubled the advantage 16 minutes later, converting a calm penalty after Deonjay Brown was fouled inside the 18-yard box. Deonjay Brown notched his first of the day just before the halftime whistle, pushing the scoreline to 3-0, and bagged his second just four minutes into the second half to extend MBU’s lead to 4-0. The final two goals came from substitute players making an impact off the bench: Kegan Caull netted his first ever goal for MBU in the 68th minute, before Jahmari Clarke closed out the scoring with an 85th-minute strike. The win also capped a perfect season series for MBU against Spanish Town Police, who failed to register a single result against the playoff-bound side this term.

    While MBU celebrated a historic milestone, their closest title and playoff contenders stumbled across the weekend’s matchday, opening up the race for the remaining postseason spots. Second-place Mt Pleasant Football Academy dropped five points behind MBU after suffering a shock 1-0 upset to Tivoli Gardens, with Tkiven Garnett netting the game-winning goal in second-half stoppage time.

    Third place is now shared by two sides after mixed results: Racing United fell 1-0 to Waterhouse FC, with Javane Bryan scoring a late 90th-minute winner for Waterhouse, while Portmore United edged Molynes United 1-0 courtesy of a late first-half own goal. Both Portmore and Racing United sit level on 55 points, separated only by goal difference. Waterhouse now sits in fourth place on 53 points, while defending league champions Cavalier SC climbed to sixth on 48 points after a comfortable 4-1 win over Chapelton Maroons.

    Cavalier’s win followed a pattern of alternating results across their last four outings, but the champions were in dominant form against the low-side Maroons. Chapelton gifted Cavalier an opening lead through an Osani Ricketts own goal in the 27th minute, and Jason Wright equalised for the Maroons just two minutes later. However, Akil Henry restored Cavalier’s lead 10 minutes before halftime, before substitute Adrian Reid extended the advantage to 3-1 in the 56th minute. Another second-half substitute, Kimarly Scott, put the game beyond doubt with a fourth goal in the 86th minute.

    Further down the table, Dunbeholden FC climbed into seventh place after a tense 2-1 win over Arnett Gardens, where all three goals came in the final 15 minutes of play. Shakeem Powell broke the deadlock for Dunbeholden in the 75th minute, Clive Wedderburn doubled the lead seven minutes later, and Fabian Reid scored a late consolation for Arnett Gardens in stoppage time.

    At the bottom of the league standings, Harbour View climbed out of the relegation zone into 11th place after a 2-1 victory over Treasure Beach FC. Habbie Mohammed got Harbour View off to a flying start with a fifth-minute opener, before Shanoy Smith equalised for Treasure Beach just eight minutes later. Trayvone Reid secured all three points for Harbour View with an 83rd-minute match-winning strike, pushing the side above Treasure Beach in the fight to avoid relegation.

    Matchday Results Roundup:
    Harbour View 2 – 1 Treasure Beach FC
    Racing United 0 – 1 Waterhouse FC
    Dunbeholden FC 2 – 1 Arnett Gardens
    Chapelton Maroons 1 – 4 Cavalier SC
    Montego Bay United 6 – 0 Spanish Town Police
    Molynes United 0 – 1 Portmore United
    Tivoli Gardens 1 – 0 Mt Pleasant FA

    By Paul Reid