分类： sports

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.

In a stunning display of resilience, West Indies cricketer Justin Greaves has revealed the strategic inspiration behind his match-saving performance that secured a dramatic draw against New Zealand in the first Test at Christchurch. The remarkable comeback, achieved while chasing an unprecedented 531 runs, has been hailed as one of Test cricket’s most memorable escapes.

Greaves, whose unbeaten 202 formed the cornerstone of West Indies’ improbable recovery, credited his meticulous observation of New Zealand batsmen Tom Latham and Rachin Ravindra for providing the tactical template. “I studied how both Tom Latham and Rachin applied themselves on the pitch,” Greaves explained. “I took a page from each batter’s book – Tom’s exceptional patience combined with Rachin’s shot execution capability.”

The Caribbean team’s prospects appeared bleak on day four when they stumbled to 72/4, facing what would have been the highest successful run chase in Test history. However, Greaves forged critical partnerships with captain Shai Hope (140) and tailender Kemar Roach, who contributed a maiden Test half-century of 58 not out. The collective effort propelled West Indies to 457/6 by the conclusion, denying New Zealand victory.

Reflecting on the tense final sessions, Greaves acknowledged the calculated shift in strategy after losing Hope and Tevin Imlach in quick succession. “We initially aimed for victory with Shai, but after those wickets, our focus shifted to taking the game as deep as possible,” he stated. “We didn’t want to leave the outcome dependent on our bowlers, so securing the draw became a significant achievement.”

The 29-year-old all-rounder, who made his Test debut just eleven months ago, emphasized the substantial leap from regional first-class cricket to the international arena. “Test cricket is considerably more demanding both physically and mentally,” Greaves noted. “I’ve had to completely transform my training approach regarding strength, conditioning, and technical skills.”

Greaves also identified former world-ranked all-rounder Jason Holder as an influential mentor as he continues developing his dual batting and medium-pace bowling capabilities. Looking ahead to the second Test commencing December 9 in Wellington, Greaves anticipates similar pitch conditions and emphasizes maintaining disciplined processes that served the team effectively in Christchurch.

In a landmark moment for Trinidad and Tobago sailing, Justin Bridgemohan concluded his inaugural appearance at the 2025 World Sailing Inclusion Championships with a 24th-place finish in the inclusive one-person championship division. The historic event, held at the Mussanah Sailing School in Oman on December 8, marked the Caribbean nation’s first-ever representation in para-sailing at this elite international level.

Competing under the banner of the Andrew Lewis Sailing Foundation, Bridgemohan demonstrated remarkable resilience throughout nine challenging rounds, ultimately accumulating a net score of 59. His campaign began with an unfortunate disqualification in the opening race after his vessel made contact with a marker. Undeterred by this setback, the debutant sailor mounted an impressive comeback, achieving consistently strong placements of eighth, ninth, 11th, fifth, 11th, sixth, second, and seventh in subsequent races.

Notably, without the initial disqualification, statistical analysis indicates Bridgemohan would have secured a position within the championship’s top 20 competitors. This performance becomes even more extraordinary considering the athlete has only been sailing for three months through the Andrew Lewis Sailing Academy’s local training program.

Bridgemohan’s journey to international competition began through the mentorship of coach Kristoff Stuven, a former national sailor, who recognized his potential despite the athlete’s recent introduction to the sport. In a post-competition interview from Oman, Bridgemohan appealed for public support to sustain his developing career, identifying the 2032 Brisbane Paralympics as his ultimate objective.

The pioneering sailor extended gratitude to multiple supporters including TT Paralympics Committee president Sudhir Ramesar, coach Stuven for expedition coordination, mentor Andrew Lewis, trainer Yannick Along, his family, and the Trinidad and Tobago Yachting Association for advancing para-sailing initiatives.

The Cricket West Indies/TT Cricket Board Under-23 Cup makes its anticipated return on December 9 with a rescheduled second-round showdown between Soca Strikers Under-19 and Steelpan Titans at Balmain’s National Cricket Centre in Couva.

Originally slated for December 6, this critical match became the tournament’s third weather-related postponement in four scheduled games, highlighting the disruptive impact of seasonal rainfall on Caribbean cricket calendars.

Soca Strikers U19 enter the contest with formidable momentum following their dominant nine-wicket victory over Scarlet Blazers in the tournament opener – the only match thus far to reach a conclusive result. Their previous performance demonstrated exceptional all-round capabilities with both bat and ball.

During that opening match at Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Blazers posted 190 all out in 41.2 overs, thanks primarily to Sachin Emrit’s unbeaten 50 and R Yearwood’s contribution of 39 runs. The bowling attack proved decisive as Brendan Boodoo delivered a spectacular performance, claiming 5/21, supported by Saleem Khan’s 2/37.

The chase became a masterclass in controlled batting as Khan remained undefeated with 107 runs from 109 deliveries, partnered by Aadi Ramsaran’s equally impressive 61 not out from 68 balls. Their unbeaten partnership guided Soca Strikers to a commanding 196/1 in just 36.2 overs.

Tournament scheduling continues to face challenges as the initial first-round match between Steelpan Titans and Cocrico Warriors suffered similar weather disruptions, with its December 6 rescheduling also falling victim to precipitation. The following day’s second-round encounter between Cocrico Warriors and Scarlet Blazers began but ultimately succumbed to weather after Blazers reached 177/2 in 33.2 overs, featuring half-centuries from Yearwood (54) and Rajeev Ramnath (51 not out).

Following the December 9 fixture, the tournament progresses immediately to third-round matches on December 10, featuring Titans versus Blazers at NCC and Strikers U19 confronting Warriors at Tarouba.

The TT Premier Football League witnessed significant upheaval during matchday seven as leading contenders failed to capitalize on critical opportunities to claim the top position. The December 7 double-header at Arima Velodrome produced unexpected results that dramatically reshaped the league standings.

Defending champions Defence Force delivered a spectacular second-half performance to overcome Club Sando 3-1. Despite Club Sando establishing an early advantage through Keron Cornwall’s 26th-minute strike, Defence Force mounted a stunning comeback with three unanswered goals in the final period. Elijah Seechan initiated the turnaround with a 61st-minute equalizer, followed by late goals from Joshua Araujo-Wilson (81st minute) and Caden Trestrail (87th minute) that secured victory for the reigning champions.

In the subsequent match, Prison Service FC squandered their opportunity to claim pole position after being held to a 2-2 draw by San Juan Jabloteh. Jabloteh established an early lead through Andell Fraser’s 25th-minute goal, but Prison Service responded with second-half strikes from Nahshon Simon (47th minute) and Ricardo John (72nd minute). Their advantage proved short-lived as Malachi Webb equalized just two minutes later to secure a valuable point for Jabloteh.

The surprising results propelled Miscellaneous Police FC to the summit of the table following their 1-0 victory over 1976 FC Phoenix at Dwight Yorke Stadium on December 6. Kadeem Hutchinson’s 88th-minute goal proved decisive in establishing Police’s narrow advantage.

Current league standings show Police FC and Prison Service FC tied at 16 points each, with Club Sando trailing closely behind at 15 points. The postponed matches between Caledonia vs AC Port of Spain and Terminix La Horquetta Rangers vs Central FC Reboot will likely further influence the tightly contested championship race.

The Eddie Hart Savannah in Tacarigua witnessed a spectacular inauguration of the East West Corridor Football League on December 6, marking the commencement of an ambitious grassroots football initiative. Spearheaded by former Trinidad and Tobago national team captain David Nakhid—now serving as Senator and parliamentary secretary at the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs—the league represents a strategic effort to revitalize community football through his David Nakhid Academy (DNA).

The opening match saw Wallerfield United secure a decisive 3-0 victory against FC Porto Arima. Revaldo Patrick emerged as the standout performer, netting two goals and earning the player of the match honor. Teammate Ronaldo Estick contributed the third goal, completing the dominant performance.

Government support was evident with several officials in attendance, including MP for St Augustine Khadijah Ameen, Defence Minister Wayne Sturge, and Minister in the Ministry of Housing Anil Roberts. The event also drew former national footballer Ron La Forest and entertainment figures such as soca artist Olatunji Yearwood, who expressed enthusiasm about potentially forming a team due to the substantial financial incentives.

The league features unprecedented prize money at the grassroots level, with $120,000 awarded to the champion team, $70,000 for second place, and $50,000 for third. Beyond monetary rewards, the tournament offers developmental opportunities, including planned scouting involvement from Spain and the United States, with an all-star team scheduled to travel to Spain post-tournament.

Organizer Travis Mulraine confirmed matches will continue across six regional divisions—east, northeast, north, central, south, and Tobago—with over 40 teams competing through May. The upcoming weekend will feature a full schedule of games across all zones on December 11, 13, and 14.

In one of Test cricket’s most remarkable fourth-innings performances, West Indies batsman Justin Greaves engineered an extraordinary comeback to secure an improbable draw against New Zealand at Christchurch’s Hagley Oval. The dramatic turnaround unfolded on December 6th as Greaves, batting at number six, crafted an unbeaten 202 runs to defy New Zealand’s bowling attack and rescue his team from certain defeat.

The match situation appeared hopeless when Greaves joined Shai Hope at the crease with the scoreboard reading 72/4, chasing an insurmountable target of 531 runs. With over two sessions remaining on day four and the entire final day to survive, even the most optimistic Caribbean supporters had conceded defeat. However, what followed was a masterclass in determination and technical proficiency.

Hope provided crucial support with a magnificent 140 before his dismissal, but the real drama unfolded through Greaves’ partnership with unlikely hero Kemar Roach. The 37-year-old fast bowler, possessing a Test batting average below 12, displayed unexpected resilience as he supported Greaves through the critical final stages. Their partnership transformed from mere resistance to genuine match-saving brilliance.

The match context made Greaves’ achievement particularly significant. West Indies had won the toss and elected to bowl first on a moisture-laden pitch that initially favored seam movement. New Zealand posted 231 in their first innings, with the visitors struggling to 167 in response. The Black Caps then dominated the second innings with Rachin Ravindra (176) and captain Tom Latham (145) building what appeared to be an impregnable position.

Greaves’ innings marked him as only the seventh West Indian batsman to score a double-century in a Test match’s fourth innings. His performance demonstrated both sensible shot selection and growing self-assurance, particularly impressive given his recent inconsistent form. The Barbadian right-hander tempered his natural stroke-play with disciplined defense and selective aggression, showcasing the technical adaptability required for Test cricket’s varying conditions.

The drawn result represents a significant moral victory for West Indies, whose Test performances in recent years have frequently drawn criticism. This display of character and resilience against one of world cricket’s strongest home teams suggests promising development within the squad. Greaves’ historic innings, supported by Hope’s consistency and Roach’s determination, provides a blueprint for future success and reinforces the timeless cricket adage about the game’s “glorious uncertainties.”