分类： sports

The Harvard International Rugby 7s tournament concluded with thrilling victories for Caribbean Kings and Defence Force in the men’s and women’s categories respectively. Held at St Mary’s College grounds in St Clair on November 29-30, the event showcased exceptional talent across multiple divisions.

In the men’s championship final, the touring Caribbean Kings squad demonstrated remarkable resilience to secure a hard-fought 19-14 victory against Defence Force. The Kings had previously advanced to the final by defeating host team Harvard Rugby Club 19-12 in a closely contested semifinal match. Harvard ultimately claimed third position in the men’s category.

The women’s competition saw Defence Force emerge triumphant after round-robin play, narrowly edging out Royalians for top honors. In the women’s under-20 division, San Juan RFC captured the championship with SEPOS Ruggers finishing as runners-up and Whanau Rugby Academy securing third place.

Additional age-group categories produced equally compelling results. Whanau Academy claimed redemption in the men’s under-20 final with a 12-5 victory over Silvos’ Youth Academy. However, Silvo’s gained retribution in the under-16 division, defeating Whanau to claim the title while Harvard finished third.

The tournament, captured through dynamic photography by Ayanna Kinsale, featured emerging talents such as San Juan’s Ashana Gonzales and Whanau’s Skyler Hope demonstrating exceptional skill and athleticism. Rugby enthusiasts can now look forward to the upcoming Tobago Classic 7s, scheduled for January 9-10.

The North-Eastern Multi-purpose Facility in Sangre Grande will host an electrifying doubleheader on December 12 as the Big Ballers Football League semifinals commence. The tournament reaches its critical phase with arch-rivals Boys Town and Cool It positioned on opposite sides of the draw, both pursuing the coveted $80,000 grand prize alongside multiple trophies and substantial financial rewards.

In the evening’s second match at 9:30 PM, Boys Town will confront Manzanilla Challengers Rebirth, marking their second encounter this season. Boys Town enters with psychological advantage having secured a 2-1 victory in their previous meeting. Manager Daryl ‘Blem’ Miranda expressed unwavering confidence in his squad’s preparedness, emphasizing their strategy: ‘Keep it tight at the back and score goals up front.’ The team reports no injury concerns ahead of this decisive clash.

The opening semifinal at 7:30 PM features unbeaten tournament favorites Cool It against Wolf Pack FC. Cool It’s manager Sherwin ‘Pigeon’ Joseph acknowledges the challenge while highlighting his team’s momentum and collective spirit. The squad boasts exceptional experience with veterans including 2006 World Cup participant Anthony Wolfe, former national players Keron ‘Ball Pest’ Cummings and Kevon ‘Showtime’ Woodley, alongside ex-Super League standout Ryan ‘Fry’ Stewart.

This semifinal showdown sets the stage for an anticipated December 20 rematch in the Brian K Lewis KO final, where $8,000 in prize money awaits the victor. The historical rivalry between Boys Town and Cool It adds compelling narrative to the tournament, with Cool It having dominated recent encounters while adding the 2025 Fishing Pond League and Anthony Wolfe Sweet 16 trophies to their collection.

Cool It advanced to the semifinals via penalty shootout against Xclusive FC after a 1-1 regulation draw, subsequently securing their KO final placement with victories over Young Guns (2-0) and Dream Team (1-0).

The Steelpan Titans have secured their second emphatic victory in as many days within the TT Cricket Board Under-23 Cup, establishing themselves as formidable contenders in the tournament. Their latest triumph came against the Scarlet Blazers at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba on December 10, where they delivered a commanding 142-run win.

Choosing to bat first after winning the toss, the Titans posted a competitive total of 280 for nine from their allotted 50 overs. The innings was anchored by a stellar performance from top-order batsman Joseph Mendoza, who crafted a decisive 78 runs from just 79 deliveries, including three boundaries and four sixes. Openers Riyaad Mohammed (31) and captain Justin Jagessar (22) provided a solid foundation with a 65-run partnership before being dismissed by Zachary Siewah and Vasant Singh respectively.

Mendoza later formed crucial partnerships, adding 76 runs with Nick Ramlal (39) for the third wicket and 75 runs with wicket-keeper batsman Matheus Komal, whose explosive 43 off 28 balls featured three fours and three sixes to accelerate the scoring rate.

Despite an expensive spell, Alexander Chase emerged as the most successful bowler for the Blazers, claiming four wickets for 71 runs, including the vital dismissals of Komal, Jacen Agard, Jayden Kent, and Calvin Loubon during the death overs.

In response, the Scarlet Blazers’ batting lineup collapsed under pressure, crumbling to 32 for four within the first seven overs. Captain Justin Jagessar led the Titans’ bowling attack with two early wickets, finishing with figures of two for 18. The Blazers failed to establish substantial partnerships, with the highest being a 39-run stand between captain Sachin Emrit (17) and Mikeal Sinanan (22). Zachary Siewah top-scored with 23 runs before the team was bowled out for 138 in just 24.4 overs, with Calvin Loubon (2/27) and Stepphan McPherson (2/28) contributing to the comprehensive bowling performance.

This victory follows the Titans’ five-wicket win against the Soca Strikers under-19 team on December 9, demonstrating their growing dominance in the competition.

A highly anticipated showdown between two football powerhouses will culminate at Couva’s Ato Boldon Stadium on December 10 as Signal Hill Secondary confronts Naparima College in the 2025 Coca-Cola SSFL boys’ national intercol final. The match represents a classic underdog versus champion narrative, with Tobago’s Signal Hill attempting to replicate their 2010 triumph against the same opponents while ending a 15-year trophy drought.

Naparima College enters the final as firm favorites, having recently secured their fifth premier division title since 2014 with a narrow 2-1 victory over Signal Hill just two weeks prior. That November 27 encounter saw Naparima establish an early 2-0 advantage through goals from Sebastian James and prolific Tobago-born striker Riquelme Phillips before weathering a spirited Signal Hill comeback.

Signal Hill coach Downie Marcelle acknowledges the challenge ahead, stating, “We must respect Naparima’s status as the league’s best team, but simultaneously believe in our capabilities. Our players demonstrate exceptional hunger for success in this final.” Marcelle’s squad advanced to the championship match with a hard-fought 1-0 semifinal victory against St Anthony’s College, courtesy of a 76th-minute goal from substitute Siel Mills.

The Tobago team faces potential lineup complications as Mills battles hamstring discomfort that prevented him from training on December 9. Regardless of his availability, Marcelle has prepared tactical adjustments to counter Naparima’s offensive strengths, particularly focusing on containing wingers Jayden Caprietta and Arron Raymond while limiting space for Phillips.

Naparima manager Percy Samlalsingh recognizes the emerging rivalry between the programs, noting, “The previous encounter demonstrated minimal separation between our squads. This final will ultimately be determined by which team commits fewer errors and capitalizes on scoring opportunities.” The southern school seeks their ninth national intercol title and first since 2018, with several Upper Six players including captain Jerrel Cooper, goalkeeper Adriano Baptiste, and midfielders Xarion France and Ryan Radellant aiming to conclude their SSFL careers with championship glory.

This senior final initiates an unprecedented trilogy of championship meetings between the institutions, as they are scheduled to compete in both under-14 and under-16 national finals within the coming week, potentially establishing a new enduring rivalry in secondary schools football.

Following Trinidad and Tobago’s unsuccessful bid to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Parliamentary Secretary for Sport David Nakhid has called for comprehensive rebuilding efforts to secure qualification for the 2030 tournament. The national team finished third in their CONCACAF group behind Jamaica and Curaçao, with the latter securing automatic qualification to the 2026 World Cup hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Trinidad and Tobago’s football history shows only one World Cup appearance at the 2006 tournament in Germany, making the recent qualification failure particularly disappointing for the football-loving nation. Jamaica remains in contention through the intercontinental playoffs scheduled for March.

In statements made outside parliament on December 9, Nakhid emphasized the necessity for structural improvements: “We must persevere and rebuild. As a nation with strong football traditions, our recent performance was inadequate. We cannot afford to consistently miss World Cup cycles. With proper development pathways and synchronization between our efforts and the Trinidad and Tobago Football Association’s vision, we can realistically target 2030 qualification.”

Nakhid, who serves as parliamentary secretary at the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs, acknowledged some progress under current coach Dwight Yorke, who assumed leadership in November 2024 with the specific objective of World Cup qualification. However, Nakhid noted that the TTFA must evaluate whether the results achieved under Yorke’s tenure met expectations.

The future of Yorke’s leadership remains uncertain with only six months remaining on his contract, raising questions about whether he will continue to guide the team through the rebuilding phase or if new leadership will be sought to pursue the 2030 qualification campaign.

In a rescheduled second-round encounter of the Cricket West Indies/Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board Under-23 Cup, Steelpan Titans clinched their inaugural tournament victory with a commanding five-wicket triumph over Soca Strikers Under-19. The match unfolded on December 9 at the National Cricket Centre in Balmain, Couva.

Batting first after being sent in, Soca Strikers posted a competitive total of 144/9 within their allotted 28 overs. Their innings was propelled by aggressive batting displays from Darius Battoosingh, who smashed a rapid-fire 47 runs from merely 27 deliveries, and opener Salem Khan, who contributed a steady 43 from 49 balls.

The Titans’ bowling attack proved exceptionally effective in containing the Strikers’ batting lineup. Calvin Loubon emerged as the standout performer, claiming an impressive four wickets for just 20 runs. Nick Ramlal demonstrated his all-round capabilities by securing three crucial wickets for 17 runs, while pace bowler Jane Agard supported effectively with two dismissals for 22 runs.

In response, Steelpan Titans reached the victory target of 146 runs with five wickets in hand, achieving the total in just 26.3 overs. The chase was masterfully anchored by Nick Ramlal, who remained not out on a match-winning 56 runs. He received valuable support from opening batsman Riyaad Mohammed, who added 32 runs to the tally, and Jayden Kent, who contributed 20 runs to the successful pursuit.

For the previously unbeaten Soca Strikers U19, this defeat marks their first loss in two matches. Their bowling efforts were led by Daron Dhanraj, who took two wickets for 13 runs, and Renaldo Fournillier, who captured two wickets for 31 runs.

The U23 Cup competition continues on December 10 with third-round fixtures, featuring Steelpan Titans facing Scarlet Blazers at Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Tarouba, while Soca Strikers U19 will seek redemption against Cocrico Warriors at the National Cricket Centre.

In a nail-biting championship finale, Operations HQ secured the inaugural Valiance 3×3 Inter-Station Basketball Competition title with a hard-fought 5-4 victory over Port of Spain Prison on December 5. The thrilling conclusion unfolded at the Youth Transformation and Rehabilitation Centre (YTRC) Gymnasium, showcasing exceptional defensive prowess from both finalists.

Tournament standout Michael Straker earned Most Valuable Player honors after delivering an impressive 24-point performance throughout the competition. The championship game saw Straker account for all five of his team’s points, demonstrating remarkable composure under pressure.

The title match was characterized by strategic, deliberate play with both teams implementing disciplined defensive structures. Scoring opportunities proved scarce throughout the intense matchup, with each possession carrying significant weight. Operations HQ ultimately created a decisive late-game advantage to claim the historic victory.

In the third-place playoff, host team YTRC delivered a resilient performance despite losing a key player to injury. The squad demonstrated exceptional collective effort and late-game composure to edge Garage 10-9 in another tightly contested battle.

The two-day tournament (December 4-5) featured eight teams representing various divisions within the Trinidad and Tobago Prison Service. Following group stage matches on the opening day, all teams advanced to the knockout bracket phase.

Assistant Commissioner of Prisons Ricardo Dass praised the event’s success, noting strong participation and engagement levels that met organizational objectives. He indicated the tournament has potential to become an annual fixture, possibly with multiple editions each year to support staff wellness and national qualification ambitions.

Final tournament standings placed Operations HQ first, followed by Port of Spain Prison, Youth Transformation and Rehabilitation Centre, Garage, Administration, Golden Grove Prison, Maximum Security Prison, and Operations.

Trinidad and Tobago prepares to showcase its emerging female football talent as the DecembHER Football – Jewels of the Caribbean tournament returns from December 15-21. The annual competition will feature both under-17 and under-20 categories, with host nation TT fielding two teams in each division alongside regional rivals Jamaica and United States-based club Indy Premier.

Multiple venues across Trinidad will host matches throughout the week-long event, including the Hasely Crawford Stadium in Mucurapo, Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva, and Sangre Grande recreation ground. The tournament culminates with both category finals scheduled for December 21 at Hasely Crawford Stadium.

The competition begins with TT’s under-17 teams facing Indy Premier and Jamaica in a December 15 double-header at Hasely Crawford Stadium, while the under-20 squads open their campaign with similar fixtures at Ato Boldon Stadium on December 16. Following round-robin play, the top two teams from each category will advance to the championship matches.

Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) president Kieron Edwards emphasized the tournament’s significance, stating: “Hosting Jewels of the Caribbean reflects our commitment to raising women’s football standards and providing meaningful international competition for our young female athletes. This represents an exciting period for TTFA as we continue growing programs that inspire the nation.”

The tournament holds particular importance as preparation for TT’s upcoming 2026 Concacaf Women’s Under-17 Qualifiers scheduled for January 24-February 2. Trinidad and Tobago will compete in Group F alongside Barbados, Curacao, El Salvador, and Guadeloupe, with the top six group winners and two best second-place teams advancing to join regionally ranked powerhouses Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the United States in the final round.

Historical context adds drama to this year’s competition: In the 2023 under-17 tournament, TT claimed victory with a 2-0 win over St Vincent and the Grenadines powered by Orielle Martin’s brace. The talented attacking midfielder continued her impressive form in the 2024 under-20 edition, scoring six goals to claim the golden boot award despite TT’s 2-1 finals loss to Jamaica.

Team selections for TT’s Jewels of the Caribbean squads are expected to be finalized before week’s end, marking the beginning of an intensive period of development for the country’s rising female football stars.