This is where Gunners can share their ideas about matches. If you are one one those die hard gunners, come in and post your opinion about each matches.

I will try to post each match's Highlights download Links here. So check it regularly

Lets Start with Arsenal vs Bolton



Bolton Wanderers [2 - 3] Arsenal

- Barclays Premier League
- Reebok Stadium
- Saturday, March 29, 2008, 3pm

Highlights (MOTD) :

Code:

http://rapidshare.com/files/103410914/Bolton_Wanderers_V_Arsenal_29.03.08_MotD_highlights_f54.avi

Chelsea [2 - 1] Arsenal

- Barclays Premier League
- Stamford Bridge
- Sunday, March 23, 2008, 4pm

Highlights (MOTD) :

http://rapidshare.com/files/101840912/Chelsea_V_Arsenal_23.03.08_MotD_highlights_f54.avi

JA has been there
T&T has been there

will anyone else? what do you think??

Mexico 8-1 Jamaica
Canada 6-0 Trinida and Tobago

WASHINGTON (AP)With Gilbert Arenas back on the floor, the Washington Wizards fell apart in too many ways to count in the fourth quarter. Forget all his dramatics: Agent Zero had the show stolen by a rookie making his first NBA game-winner.

Ramon Sessions hit a 19-foot jumper at the buzzer Wednesday night to give the Milwaukee Bucks a 110-109 victory over the Wizards, who left the game with severely bruised egos and new injuries to Antawn Jamison and DeShawn Stevenson.

The Bucks, who never led by more than one point, overcame a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit and ran a perfect inbounds play to win the game. With 1.1 seconds left, Royal Ivey threw the ball into the post to Andrew Bogut, who was supposed to turn and shoot but instead flicked the ball quickly to an open Sessions in the corner.

There was barely a tick left on the clock as the ball left the rookies hands, but the shot was clearly good upon instant replay review.

Thats the biggest 1.1 seconds of my life right there, said Sessions, a second-round pick whose eight points and eight rebounds were both career highs. Thats my biggest shot, by far.

Charlie Villanueva had 24 points and 12 rebounds for the Bucks, whose celebration took some of the sting from the news that they were mathematically eliminated from the playoffs by Atlantas win over Toronto. Milwaukee also ended an eight-game road losing streak.

The Wizards, by contrast, were all out of sorts after the game, so much so that Arenas left the locker room before it was open to reporters.

Wednesday was supposed to a celebration of the three-time All Stars surprise comeback after 66 games sidelined with a knee injury. The crowd was thrilled by his every move and by each of his 17 points, but Washington was outscored by 15 points during his 19 minutes on the court and blew the 95-86 lead it had when he entered the game for the final 7:23.

Still, all seemed well when Arenas made two free throws with 15 seconds remaining to give the Wizards a one-point lead.

The script was planned out the right way, Wizards guard Roger Mason said. He hit the two free throws at the end of the game, and I kind of thought that was the end. A great story line: Arenas back. But Sessions hit a crazy shot at the end.

Before the winning shot, there was a chaotic sequence that left All-Star forward Jamison with a sprained right shoulder and Stevenson with a sprained right ankle. Both had X-rays and will be re-evaluated Thursday.

Stevenson rolled his ankle on a play that ended in a jump ball between Sessions and Caron Butler under the Wizards basket with 6.3 seconds left. Butler tipped the ball toward Jamison, but Jamison had to dive into the second row of seats to save it inbounds, hurting his shoulder. Sessions then outhustled Antonio Daniels to the ball and called timeout with 1.1 on the clock.

Hes playing hard, and when he gets in there its a fresh look for us, Bogut said of Sessions. He doesnt want to go back to the D-League.

Butler and Jamison scored 18 points apiece for the Wizards, who missed a chance to clinch their fourth consecutive playoff berth. Butler (strained left hamstring) and Daniels (sprained left wrist) were back after missing Mondays loss to Utah.

Arenas return was befitting of the living soap opera he has become. He kept himself under wraps all day, missing the shootaround, the pregame warmup and even the national anthem. He waited until the 5:30 mark of the first quarter to emerge from the locker room in his customary No. 0 jersey.

He entered the game 9 seconds later to a large ovation and scored on a reverse layup with 4:49 left in the first, his first points since Nov. 16 against Minnesota. With his left leg wrapped in a black supportive sleeve, Arenas shot the ball well and came up smiling after diving into the Bucks bench for a loose ball late in the third quarter, but he wasnt exactly smooth when he moved laterally on his twice-surgically repaired knee and was a defensive liability.

Arenas first hurt his knee last April, then rushed his rehabilitation over the summer and lasted only the eight games into the season before requiring surgery again on Nov. 21. He was always cagey about his return, and he stormed out of the locker room before a game against Cleveland last month because he wanted to play but didnt get clearance from his doctor.

The doctor gave the go-ahead during the Wizards recent road trip, but Arenas continued to sit out. He had previously said he wanted to make his return at home.

Im happy he returned, Butler said. But most importantly we need to get a win and clinch a playoff spot and get some momentum with Gilbert back.

Arsenal 1-1 Liverpool
Febernache 2-1 Chelsea

Ronaldinho's agent admits he may leave Barcelona

HUGE TEST for Reggae Girlz in Olympic qualifer

HOWARD WALKER in Chihuahua, Mexico Wednesday, April 02, 2008

Chihuahua, Mexico - Jamaica's Senior Women's football team kicks off its Olympic dream today against hosts Mexico at the Estadio Olimpico Benitez Juarez, starting at 5:30 pm (7:30 Jamaican time).

In the curtain-raiser, Caribbean neighbours, Trinidad & Tobago, tackle Canada in Group B action.

Coach of the Senior Reggae Girlz squad, Brazilian Alfredo Montesso (left), speaks with members of the team at a practice session in Mexico yesterday, ahead of today's Olympic qualifier against the host country. (Photo: Howard Walker)

The Reggae Girlz are drawn in Group A alongside Mexico and the top-ranked team in the world, United States of America (USA), who incidentally are sharing the same hotel with the Jamaicans.

Yesterday the Girlz were relaxed and oozed confidence about qualifying for their first Olympic Games in August.
Technical director, Rene Simoes, gave the girls a pep talk about mental toughness and it seemed to work after they had earlier seemed apprehensive on their way to Mexico.
After travelling from Jamaica to Miami, then Dallas and El Paso at the Mexican border, Simoes gave them a refresher's course in psychology.

"Come girls, you can't look so tired, Beijing is far away. You have just started," he said as the players gathered around him at the El Paso airport.

"Sometimes you have to shake them up to make them realise what they want and came for. They started singing, dancing and are very focused," he later told the Observer.
Head coach, Charles Edwards, acknowledged the task is a difficult one, but said the team had a plan.

Said Edwards: "Our approach is to win two games. We know we can beat Mexico and once the application is right and we remain confident and positive and once we beat Mexico, we'll not be worrying about the USA because we would be in the second round.

"Now when we get to the semi-final, the important thing is to win and that will qualify us for the Olympics. Our main aim is to win two games - the first and the semi-final," he added.

The last time Jamaica played Mexico was on November 26 in the Gold Cup third-place playoff, which they lost 0-3.
Only Venecia Reid, Natalya Manyan, Omolyn Davis, Yolanda Hamilton and Christina Murray from the current squad took part in that encounter.

Today's team will see Nikkesshi Thomas in goal with Manyan, Hamilton, Stacy-Ann Johnson and Janice Rennalls in defence.

Captain Tanesia Vassell, Alicia James, Davis and Jodi-Ann McGregor will play in midfield, while Reid will start up front and should be partnered by Tashana Vincent, pending a late fitness test.

Jamaica got to the CONCACAF final qualifying round after dismissing their Caribbean opponents in style. The Reggae Girlz scored 27 goals in five games without conceding any.
In October, Jamaica blanked Bermuda 4-0, Antigua & Barbuda 12-0 and Dominica 8-0 in the first stage before brushing aside Cuba 3-0 on aggregate in the second stage.

Roma 0-2 Man U FC Shalke 0- 1 Barcelona Tomorrow's Games Arsenal- Liverpool Ferbenache- Chelsea

Somebody try explain it to fi me. A side of such calibre as barcelona not stepping up to the plate. their last match on saturday, they lost to Real betis. Real Betis a side. they were leading real betis 2-0 at half time. started godd the second half then giving up a penalty, which to my surprise was saved by victor valdes. good job. after that evrything mash up fi barca. betis scored three quick goals to beat them 3-2. what a diaappointment. barcelona could now still be in second place but now dem deh a thired.

One more thing wah happen to ronaldinho. why him nah play, mi not even see him on the bench. Whaaa Gwaan

Is Chris Gayle untouchable? published: Thursday | March 27, 2008 OVER THE past month, Jamaica's cricket captain, Chris Gayle, has made two unacceptable statements, both of which he has been criticised for and deservedly so. It seems to have been quite some time ago since Gayle, after losing the Stanford 20/20 final, said the Jamaicans were all winners "because we are going home with US$500,000. Upon his arrival at the Norman Manley International Airport the following day, his comments, when questioned by journalists, were even more disgusting and disrespectful. "A lot of people can talk and say what they want - we have J$5 million in our pocket right now," he said. "A lot of people out there did not want us in the final. They did not want us to win the money and yet still they are playing hypocrite with us and come and say a lot of things. They can say what they want ...," Gayle was quoted as saying. The money Read into it what you wish, but this seems to me like Gayle was trying to say the money was more important than winning for his country, especially the comment he made at a press conference, two days prior to the final. "I looked at the last tournament and said ooh!, a million dollars, and we eventually lost," said Gayle, "because we were looking at the US$1m and not focusing on the game." Since these comments, we have not heard the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA), or anyone associated with cricket at the national level, say anything, which leads me to ask, is Gayle untouchable? Offences Yes, maybe he is untouchable, because two weeks ago, according to the West Indies Cricket Umpires Association (WICUA) President Hartley Reid, Gayle's comments against two umpires are punishable by the laws of cricket and he should face the consequences, but again, the JCA has said nothing. Gayle said then that bad decisions against his Jamaica team were "blatant" and described the umpiring in the game as "terrible for sports" after the side lost a crucial match by 17 runs at Kensington Oval. "If you look at some of the decisions that went against us, it was really terrible for sports and the game, what happened and it was just blatant," he said. Though I believe that umpiring at times, locally, regionally and internationally is very, very poor, Gayle as Jamaican captain, West Indies captain and a player, has no right to make that comment. According to Reid: "It is written clearly that players and officials may not be critical of the umpires, the match referee, nothing like that, but Gayle does as he likes". "I am hoping that the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) does something with him," Reid said. Gayle even got off the hook, almost a year ago, when he made some unpleasant comments on the tour of England in which he was summoned to a disciplinary meeting. In his Digicel Diary, he spoke of his disappointment in the WICB because a few players did not arrive in time for a practise game and the fact that he was not confirmed as captain in time to be a part of the selection committee. Statement In a WICB statement then President, Ken Gordon, said: "Mr Gayle appeared to understand that his statement was ill-advised and has caused unnecessary embarra**ment to the WICB. Of greater concern to the board is that the recent statement made by Mr Gayle was preceded by an earlier outburst for which he had been cautioned". However, despite this, it again was thrown under the carpet when newly-elected president, Dr Julian Hunte, took office. This cannot and should not be allowed to happen

Det @ Tor
Chi @ Phi
Mil @ Atl
Noh @ Cle
Phx @ Bos
Mia @ Nyk
Ind @ Njn
Min @ Hou
Lac @ Sas
Mem @ Sac
Was @ Sea
Cha @ Lal

Sehwag aiming to break Lara's Test record
published: Saturday | March 29, 2008

Jamaica seek win against Barbados to clinch Carib Beer Series

CMC Friday, March 07, 2008

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) - Front-running Jamaica can sew up the destination of the Carib Beer Cup this weekend.

The Jamaicans need a win in their top-of-the-table, fifth-round contest against Barbados, starting today at Kensington Oval, to move out of reach of the remaining teams with two rounds of matches left.

In other matches, Guyana face CCC at the Guyana National Stadium, and Trinidad & Tobago tackle Windward Islands at Windsor Park Stadium in Dominica.

The Jamaicans are aware of the challenge over the next four days, and captain Chris Gayle believes batting will be the key.
"It's going to be a pretty good game," Gayle told reporters yesterday. "Barbados are looking to gain on us and we're looking to step up the points standings.

"We're looking forward to it. We've been playing good cricket. Barbados have been playing good cricket as well. It is going to be interesting."

Barbados head coach Vasbert Drakes admits the Jamaicans will be tough opponents.

"The guys are well aware of what is required in this game," he said. "Jamaica are always tough opponents. They have one of the best batting sides in the competition, but they are a 'funny side'.

"Sometimes they do not always click, and since Wavell Hinds and Marlon Samuels are not in the side, it will take a big chunk out of their batting. It will all come down to how we plan and execute our plans against their batting line-up, and stay as disciplined as possible."

Jamaica gained first-innings points in their previous match against Trinidad & Tobago, which ended in a draw, to give them 42 points.

The Jamaicans also completed three straight home matches against Leeward Islands, C****ined Campuses & Colleges, and Guyana.

But Gayle admits getting over Barbados may not be that easy considering their form so far in the competition.

"We're going to play attacking cricket," he said. "We're not going to relax and say it's going be a roll-over against Barbados.

"They are on their home turf. From what I gather, the last time they played here, they scored more than 500 runs. They've been getting good runs. Their batters are in a bit of form.
"We've been bowling well, but it's going to be a challenge. It's going to be 'even-Stevens' going into this game. Hopefully, the approach is going to be just like in Trinidad."

The Barbadians secured wins in their first two matches against the Windwards and Guyana, only to lose their third match against the CCC before rebounding to gain first-innings points in their previous match against the Leewards, which also ended in a high-scoring draw in Montserrat, and this carried them to 30 points.

Both sides have retained the same squads that travelled for their previous matches, which means that Jamaica are without Samuels, and Dwayne Smith continue to lead Barbados in the absence of Corey Collymore.

BARBADOS (from) - Dwayne Smith (captain), Sulieman Benn, Patrick Browne, Jonathan Carter, Pedro Collins, Fidel Edwards, Jason Haynes, Ryan Hinds, Alcindo Holder, Shane Ramsay, Dale Richards, Kemar Roach, Kevin Stoute.

JAMAICA (from) - Chris Gayle (captain), Carlton Baugh Jr, Dave Bernard Jr, Odean Brown, Shawn Findlay, Danza Hyatt, Tamar Lambert, Xavier Marshall, Nikita Miller, Brendon Nash, Brenton Parchment, Darren Powell, Jerome Taylor.
UMPIRES: Dalton Holder, Terence Birbal (Reserve: Tunley Franklyn).

Coach lauds successful U-15 players on return

Andrew Hancel Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) boss, Jackie Hendriks (left), shakes hands with Ramon Senior following the arrival of the victorious Under-15 team at Sabina Park yesterday. Holding the championship trophy is captain Donovan Nelson, while team members look on. (Photo: Lionel Rookwood)

Jamaica'S Under-15 cricketers returned home yesterday a happy bunch after claiming their fourth hold on the CLICO West Indies Championship.

The team, led by captain Donovan Nelson, went down in the history books en route to another title as they finished the six-nation contest unbeaten - the first time in the four-year CLICO sponsorship that the champions ended with a 100 per cent win record.

Nelson, who bowls off-spin, picked up three awards at the closing function in Roseau, Dominica, on Sunday night. A student at St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS), Nelson won awards for most wickets, best bowling average and best fielder of the tournament.

He bagged 16 wickets at an average of 6.00, while registering two five-wicket hauls, including best figures of 5-16 in leading his team to a seven-wicket win over Guyana.

Upon their arrival, debutant coach, Terrence Corke, had high praises for the team which emulated the feats achieved by the 1996, 2003 and 2006 Jamaica teams.

"They did the basic things required at this level correctly. They were the only team that demonstrated the basic tenets of the game that would convince anybody that they understand cricket," Corke told the Observer after they arrived at Sabina Park where they were met by Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) president Jackie Hendriks.

Corke, who is head coach at Kingston Cricket Club, singled out the performances of his spinners, while making special mention of fastbowler Omar Samuels, whom he says has a bright future.

Corke also lauded the performances of batsmen John Campbell from Tacky High School, Ramon Senior of Excelsior and Chrishna Graham of STETHS. Campbell, who was playing in his second tournament, got special acclaim.

"John Campbell was the most exciting and attractive batsman of the tournament. He gave away his wickets a couple of times, but after we sat him down and talked to him, he went back and got an unbeaten 59 in the Guyana match," said Corke.

Corke's boys are expected to have a strong presence in an All-Star team to be named later this week to represent the West Indies in the CLICO Under-15 International Championship next month

a just want to settle a discussion i had wid sum frens!!!
bear in mind that all players are to be judged based on their prime form.... its impossible to judge CR7 nw wid DB now!!!

Bolton 2 - 3 Arsenal:
http://www.megavideo.com/?v=84TWZZAN

Man Utd 4 - 0 Aston Villa:
http://www.megavideo.com/?v=NBRK871P

<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/qoWXICi0joo&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/qoWXICi0joo&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>

won 2 championships


-- Edited by Ill-matic on Sunday 16th of May 2010 05:51:46 PM

Chelsea 1 - 0 Middlesbrough:
http://www.megavideo.com/?v=ANT2BRJV

Liverpool 1 - 0 Everton:
http://www.megavideo.com/?v=4MGDZLDF

Let's be realistic

With Ian Burnett Sports Editor Sunday, March 30, 2008

As Jamaica's Reggae Boyz, stacked with as many as seven local-based players on the pitch in the second half, struggled with a youthful, understrength Trinidad and Tobago team at 'The Office' last Wednesday night, there was a feeling of unease about the team's preparedness for the semi-final phase of the 2010 CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers slated for August to November this year.

Stage Two of the qualifying series starts in mid-June and for all intents and purposes, Jamaica should easily dispose of either The Bahamas or the British Virgin Islands on their two-leg, home-and-away series on June 14/15 and June 21.

The Boyz's prospective opponents for Group Two in Stage Three (the four-team semi-final round, from which two teams advance to the final round) are perennial qualifiers Mexico, along with Canada and Honduras.

But as Jamaica toiled on Wednesday night, what with technical director Rene Simoes tinkering with the local talent pool at his disposal, Mexico were beating a very strong Ghana side 2-1 at Fulham's Craven Cottage in London.

The Mexicans got their goals from Carlos Salcido and Pavel Pardo. Chelsea's Michael Essien had given Ghana the lead.

Also, David Suazo, the Inter Milan player, who I consider the best forward in the region, was leading Honduras to a 2-1 victory over Col****ia at Lockhart Stadium in Florida, USA.

Canada were also in action, going down 0-2 to host Estonia at A LeCoq Arena in Tallinn. I humbly submit that Ghana, Col****ia and Estonia were far stronger than the Trinidad and Tobago team that turned up at 'The Office'.

To the best of my recollection, Velibor 'Bora' Milutinovic was taken to task last year for employing the obligatory screening of local-based players by any new national coach. At the end of a four-nation Asian tour on July 3, 2007, the Serbian coach said he was finished with phase one of his plan to get the Reggae Boyz to South Africa 2010, and would start integrating the overseas-based professionals as the core group going forward with the few local-based players identified.
Unfortunately, there were no more friendly games for Bora to kick off the second phase of his plan.

What has happened since is now history. In November, Captain Horace Burrell regained control of the JFF and Bora was promptly dismissed.

Now nine months later, and a full 10 weeks to the start of the World Cup qualifying campaign, 'Phase one' or the wholesale screening of local-based players continues.

Happily, from now on we should be able to avoid that kind of drastic changeover in leadership at such a delicate stage in the preparation for a World Cup campaign. I say that because the JFF has now aligned the every-four-year Voting Congress with the FIFA World Cup calendar.

With so much emphasis placed on qualifying for the World Cup Finals, this newspaper has been arguing for such a change ever since Captain Burrell was ousted from the presidency in 2003.
That move gave Crenston Boxhill and his team very little time to chart their course because the season was well underway.

The truth is that we should not fault Simoes for screening players. After all, I am sure no one wants a repeat of August 18, 2004 when the US snatched a late equaliser (1-1) against the Boyz at the National Stadium in a World Cup qualifier, with then head coach Sebastiao Lazaroni revealing that he "did not know the players", and was therefore unsure about the requisite substitutions. That 88th-minute strike and two-point loss might have been what cost us a place in the final round of qualifying, and possibly a place in the 2006 World Cup Finals in Germany.

A lot of people might not want to accept it, but the reality is that there are not many more than a handful of local-based players at this time, who are really ready for international football outside of the Caribbean.

And that is why I was disappointed with the Reggae Boyz squad on Wednesday night. There were too many players who are clearly not yet ready for the big stage on the field at the same time.

I couldn't help but liken Wednesday's experience with the fiasco involving our Olympic (Under-23) qualifying campaign last year. We got knocked out by The Bahamas and Haiti in that French-speaking country, after sending the core of the Under-20 team, which won a surprise silver medal at the PanAm Games in Brazil, to the older Olympic qualifying tournament.

In the euphoria of that historic PanAm Games performance, everybody seemed to have forgotten that the same set of players failed to qualify for their Under-20 World Cup earlier in the year.
Similarly, because the Boyz performed creditably on their recent three-week training camp in Brazil, all of 10 of them were listed on the 20-man Reggae Boyz squad on Wednesday night.

It might have been a surprise to coach Simoes that the standard dropped so badly in the second half when he introduced so many of these players, but I certainly was not surprised. I have seen it too often, both here and abroad, under Simoes in his first stint, Lazaroni, Clovis de Oliveira, Carl Brown, Wendell Downswell and Bora.

	Derby County	2:2	Fulham
	Sunderland	2:1	West Ham United
	Bolton Wanderers	2:3	Arsenal
	Portsmouth	2:0	Wigan Athletic FC
	Birmingham City	3:1	Manchester City
	Reading	0:0	Blackburn Rovers
	Manchester United	4:0	Aston Villa

March 28 2008 @ 10:56 am (Jamaica Time) HALF TIME

Arsenal vs Boltin =>

Goals: Arsenal 0 - Bolton 2
Yellow Cards: Kevin Davies (Bolton)
Francesc Fabregas (Arsenal)
Red Cards: Abou Diaby (Arsenal)

This should be an interesting match...since Arsenal has not beat Bolton at home in a league match for over 6 years...yes we all remember that Arsenal thrashed them earlier at the Emirates. But lets see wat happens.

Stay tuned for the full time report.


March 28 2008 @ 11:56 am (Jamaica Time) FULL TIME

Today ARSENAL has indeed proven to us that they are one of the greatest teams in the world...from 2 nil down and only 10 players..they manage to savages 3 goals from Gallas, Van Persie and Fabregas in the second  half to give Arsenal all 3 points and set them back on track for winning the EPL.

Bolton lost it in the 2nd half as they were outplayed by Arsenal. Does this mean relegation for Bolton? as they are 3rd to last in points standing.

The match was good as it was raining cats and dogs...well played Arsenal...next match to watch...Manchester United vs Aston Vill...will there be an upset...or another thrashing by Manchester United?

-- Edited by postinor at 13:02, 2008-03-29

Melbourne, Saints, Manchester on top

BY ANDREW HANCEL Observer staff reporter hancela@jamaicaobserver.com Sunday, March 30, 2008

Carlton Baugh Jnr blasted a typically aggressive century as Melbourne's batsmen had an excellent first day against the Westmoreland Wizards at Melbourne Oval in the Jamaican Super League yesterday.

Captain Baugh smashed a cavalier 123 from 108 balls as the Kangaroos amassed a mammoth 388 all out at the close of play. Baugh, a discarded West Indies wicketkeeper, added 101 for the fifth wicket with former West Indies Youth player, Andre McCarthy (61), as the Wizards could not work their magic on the usually placid Melbourne surface.

Melbourne skipper Carlton Baugh Jnr (left) awaits a delivery during his knock of 123, while Westmoreland Wizards' wicketkeeper Cavin Spence looks on during their Jamaican Super League match at Melbourne Oval yesterday. (Photo: Joseph Wellington)

Melbourne quickly set about targeting a huge score when West Indies middle-order batsman Marlon Samuels (54) and Damion Henry (55) put on 75 for the second wicket, prior to Baugh's onslaught, which included 18 fours and two sixes, while middle-order batsman, Damion Jacobs (50) joined the party as well with an even half-century.

Jerome Williams (3-52) and Kenneth Beckford (3-91) were the most successful bowlers for the Westmoreland Wizards, who are yet to start their reply.

At Sabina Park, national leg-spinner, Odean Brown, bagged five for 42 for St Catherine Saints as the visitors dominated home side Kingston Tigers, in the feature match of the round.

Kingston, inserted to bat, were bowled out for 149 runs with leg-spinner Brown and skipper Tamar Lambert (3-21) ripping through the top-order. Domaine Wilson (32) and Christie Jones (20) shared in an opening stand of 53 before both fell to Brown.

The Tigers' batting then crumbled at 76 for two when Marvin Darlington (32) was caught off the bowling of Lambert.

Rain forced a two-hour stoppage, but the Tigers lasted only a half-an-hour more on the resumption, with Brown cleaning up the tail.
In their reply, the St Catherine Saints reached 53-2 with Keith Hibbert (17 not out) and nightwatchman, Andre Russell (nine not out) the batsmen at the wicket.

Jowayne Robinson (2-23) is the lone wicket-taker for the Tigers so far, having bowled Junior Stewart (0) and Damion Bryce (21), both off the inside edge.

At Alpart, rain shortly after the tea interval left the St Elizabeth Sharks on 186 for six with Vinord Woolcock (64) and Shane Powell (61) chief among the runs against the Trelawny Buccaneers. Former national all-rounder, Lorenzo Ingram, has so far taken 3-40 for the Buccaneers.

At Chedwin Park, the Manchester Lions, on 131 for one, are replying strongly to the JDF Brigades' 202 all out with opener Gary Graham (79 not out) and Donovan Sinclair (13 not out) leading the charge for the mid-island men after Zeniffe Fowler fell for 36.

The JDF Brigades made three changes to the team that faced Melbourne Kangaroos last weekend, with veterans Kamal Dennis and Warren Medwynter returning.

But the Army men faltered badly and were dismissed on the stroke of the tea break, with Joseph Palmer (48) and Akhbar Moodie (34 not out) making most runs against the bowling of Neive McNally (3-29) and David Powell (3-33).

 

FORMER Kingston College athlete, Leford Green, sent out an early warning to his rivals before the Jamaica Olympic Trials in June when he registered an impressive personal best of 45.56 seconds in the 400 metres at the Adidas Raleigh Meet at the North Carolina State University Track yesterday.

Green, a member of the Jamaica 4x400m team at last summer's World Outdoor Track and Field Championships and who had an outstanding indoor season for his team Johnson C. Smith, showed that he is still in great form as running in his first outdoor meet he ran on gallantly behind World outdoor 400m silver medallist Lashawn Merritt to finish second. Merritt, in winning the event, posted a world-leading time of 44.72.

Naturally Green was very excited with his new personal best which beat his 45.71 at last year's National Championships. "I am very happy that I have started my outdoor season on a positive note. Running well in the indoor season helped me very much as I did a lot of 200 metres and I am looking forward to even going faster, " said the Freshman at J.C. Smith.

His coach Lennox Graham, the man who guided him at KC, was also very elated."When someone does his or her personal best this is excellent. Hopefully Leford can stay healthy for the rest of the season and as long as he remains healthy then the sky is the limit for him," said Graham.

Graham also stated that Green was heading in the right direction and his improvement was due to a lot of 200 metres in his programme this season. According to him this had helped with his speed.

At yesterday's opening day of the two-day meet, which concludes today, there was also a good win for Aldrin Findlay. Findlay, who was a member of Jamaica's silver medal winning 4x400m team at last month's World Indoor Championships in Spain, captured the men's 400m hurdles in 49.69.

Former Alpha Academy athlete, Shermaine Williams, who also competes for Johnson C. Smith University, opened her outdoor season on a positive note as she qualified for today's 100m hurdles event by finishing third in her heat in 13.91.

IT will be another scramble for points tomorrow afternoon as Cash Plus Premier League teams jostle for third round honours as well as the top six positions.

On paper, leaders Portmore United have the easiest draw of the top six teams, facing eighth-place Seba United at Ferdie Neita Park, starting at 7:00 p.m.

Portmore are locked on 53 points with Tivoli Gardens atop the standings but boast an incredible goal difference of plus-22 to their rivals' plus-7.

Having won three games on the trot and scoring nine goals including a 4-2 walloping of Tivoli Gardens, Portmore are firm favourites to dispatch Seba at Ferdie Neita Park after notching a 2-1 first-round win at the venue.

Seba held Portmore to a 0-0 draw when they met at Jarrett Park in the second, but one win in their last six games isn't exactly the type of form which will do Theodore Whitmore's team any good against the leaders.

Sitting on a three-way tie for 35 points with St Georges and rapidly-rising Village United, Seba are actually eighth on goal difference and a loss would badly wound the team, which actually led the league for the first eight games of the first round.

Whereas Portmore should be ticking off a win against Seba, Tivoli Gardens should have their hands full at home against Waterhouse, who won their first match in eight games last Sunday, edging Boys' Town 1-0, missing chance after chance to flood the visitors.

Fourth on 42 points, one off third-place Boys' Town, Waterhouse have a game in hand against Village and must fancy their chances of a late surge to end the third round.

Tivoli played to a 0-0 draw at Sporting Central last weekend after notching back-to-back wins against Arnett and Reno but have suffered embarra**ing defeats at home this season, the last being Roen Nelson booting in four goals for Portmore's 4-2 win.

Waterhouse looked really dangerous last week at home and have a potent line-up featuring Jomo Gordon, Leon Strickland, Jonathan Williams and the speedy Roberto Fletcher, all dangerous players in and around the box.

Waterhouse's mobility could have Tivoli on the backfoot at home with a shaky defence against quality teams.

Third-place Boys' Town, on current form, should repeat their first-round home victory against Harbour View at Collie Smith Drive.

The Red Brigade have improved immensely with the return of George Vernal to lead their attacks. They have only lost once at home this season and should take advantage of inconsistent Harbour View, who will be without top striker Fabian Taylor, who is off to Norway on a one-year loan.

Dangerous Village United, unbeaten in eight games, drawing just once, should get the better of Reno FC at the Elliston-Wakeland Centre. Former national striker Tegat Davis has worked wonders for the once sure bets for relegation, putting them into contention for a top-six spot.

Reno will be hard-pressed to upstage Village and should find themselves deeper into relegation woes from next-to-last in the standings.

St Georges are at their Lynch Park fortress in a clash of promoted teams, playing improving Sporting Central and will have to be at their best to hang on to sixth spot.

Arnett should not take last-place August Town lightly at the University of the West Indies, where they beat Seba 3-0 and held Harbour View to a 2-2 draw.

you might tink them jus lucky but me tink them bad

kobe to walton to odom

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38DOBtl2H74&NR=1

td.gtBdy {width:758px; padding-top:5px;} td.gtRightRail {width:210px; background-color:#dedede; border-left:1px #828282 solid;} td.gtBdyPadding {width:6px;} #gtHdr {position:relative; background-image:url(/fe/img/NFL/GameTrax/hdr_bg.gif); width:758px; height:145px; font-size:11px;} #gtHdrStatus {position:absolute; top:4px; left:120px; font-weight:bold;} #gtHdrTV {position:absolute; top:4px; left:370px; width:380px; text-align:right;} #gtHdrNavLinks {position:absolute; top:28px; width:758; font-family:verdana; text-align:center;} #gtHdrAwayLogo {position:absolute; top:52px; left:65px;} #gtHdrHomeLogo {position:absolute; top:52px; left:645px;} #gtHdrAwayScore {position:absolute; top:55px; left:130px; width:45px; height:45px; background-color:#00327d; border:2px solid #c2c2c2;} #gtHdrHomeScore {position:absolute; top:55px; left:580px; width:45px; height:45px; background-color:#00327d; border:2px solid #c2c2c2;} .gtHdrGameScore {position:relative; top:6px; width:45px; color:#ffffff; font-size:22px; font-weight:bold; text-align:center;} #gtHdrAwayTeamRecord {position:absolute; top:105px; left:30px; width:150px; font-size:12px; font-family:verdana; font-weight:bold; color:#00327d; text-align:right; } #gtHdrHomeTeamRecord {position:absolute; top:105px; left:579px; width:150px; font-size:12px; font-family:verdana; font-weight:bold; color:#00327d;} #gtHdrAwayTeamLinks, #gtHdrHomeTeamLinks {font-size:10px; font-family:verdana; font-weight:normal; padding-top:3px;} #gtScoreBoard {position:absolute; top:55px; left:229px; height:82px; width:300px; background-color:#999999; border:1px solid #888888;} .topPreScoreboard {height:26px; width:126px; background-color:#888888; border-right:1px solid #a7a7a7; border-bottom:1px solid #a7a7a7;} .countdownClock {width:134px; background-color:#d0c3b0;} .preVisitingTeam {padding-left:8px; height:29px; width:126px; background-color:#e0e0e0; border-right:1px solid #ffffff; border-bottom:1px solid #ffffff;} .preHomeTeam {padding-left:8px; height:29px; width:126px; background-color:#e0e0e0; border-right:1px solid #ffffff;} .bgHdr1Away, .bgHdr1Away td {color:#FFFFFF; height:16px; font-size:10px; font-family:verdana; font-weight:bold; background-color:#bc1600;} .bgHdr1Home, .bgHdr1Home td {color:#FFFFFF; height:16px; font-size:10px; font-family:verdana; font-weight:bold; background-color:#000000;} .bgHdr3, .bgHdr3 td {height:16px; font-family:verdana; font-size:10px;} #visitingLogoScoreboard {position:absolute; top:25px; left:8px;} #homeLogoScoreboard {position:absolute; top:54px; left:8px;} #visitingNameScoreboard {position:absolute; top:30px; left:40px; font-family:verdana; font-size:10px; font-weight:bold;} #homeNameScoreboard {position:absolute; top:59px; left:40px; font-family:verdana; font-size:10px; font-weight:bold;} .bgInjuryReport, .bgInjuryReport td {background-color:#595866; color:#FFFFFF; font-family:verdana; font-size:10px; font-weight:bold;} tr.bgHdr1Away td, td.bgHdr1Away { background-color:#23066A; } tr.bgHdr1Home td, td.bgHdr1Home { background-color: #00611B; } Suns 97 at Celtics 117 Game Trax | Box Score | Play by Play | Depth Chart | Head-to-Head BOSTON (AP) - Kevin Garnett scored 30 points, sinking the final two to an "M-V-P!" chant echoing through the new Boston Garden, and Paul Pierce had 12 of his 27 in the fourth quarter to lead the Celtics to a 117-97 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night.

Game Leaders POINTS LEADERS Suns Amare Stoudemire Pts Reb Asst FG% Min 32 6 3 .688 38 Celtics Kevin Garnett Pts Reb Asst FG% Min 30 3 6 .632 34 Suns Celtics Assists S Nash 9 R Allen 8 Rebounds S O'Neal 7 K Perkins 10 Steals G Hill 1 J Posey 3 Blocks G Hill 2 K Garnett 2 Minutes A Stoudemire 38 R Allen 45 Box Score Suns Starters Name Min FG 3PT FT Reb Asst PF Pts A Stoudemire, F 38 11-16 0-0 10-11 6 3 4 32 S O'Neal, C 28 6-9 0-0 4-5 7 1 4 16 S Nash, G 31 5-10 2-4 0-0 2 9 2 12 R Bell, G 37 2-5 1-3 0-0 2 3 2 5 G Hill, F 27 2-5 0-1 0-0 0 2 3 4 Suns Bench Name Min FG 3PT FT Reb Asst PF Pts B Diaw 25 7-10 0-0 1-1 5 5 1 15 G Giricek 27 5-8 1-3 0-0 3 3 4 11 L Barbosa 23 0-4 0-2 2-2 0 1 0 2 D Strawberry 3 0-0 0-0 0-0 1 0 0 0 B Skinner 2 0-1 0-0 0-0 1 0 0 0 S Marks 0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 E Piatkowski 0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 A Tucker 0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 Celtics Starters Name Min FG 3PT FT Reb Asst PF Pts K Garnett, F 34 12-19 0-0 6-6 3 6 3 30 P Pierce, F 38 9-16 0-1 9-9 6 4 1 27 R Allen, G 45 5-10 2-4 2-2 2 8 2 14 R Rondo, G 29 7-12 0-1 0-0 6 6 2 14 K Perkins, C 26 6-9 0-0 1-2 10 0 3 13 Celtics Bench Name Min FG 3PT FT Reb Asst PF Pts J Posey 20 1-4 1-4 3-3 6 0 5 6 E House 13 2-4 2-3 0-0 0 1 1 6 L Powe 13 1-3 0-0 1-4 1 0 1 3 G Davis 14 1-5 0-0 0-2 6 2 3 2 S Cassell 6 1-4 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 2 T Allen 2 0-0 0-0 0-0 1 0 0 0 P Brown 0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 S Pollard 0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 G Pruitt 0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 B Scalabrine 0 0-0 0-0 0-0 0 0 0 0 Complete Box Score Season Series Date Home Score Fri 2/22 Pho Pho 85-77 Date Home Time (ET) Wed 3/26 Bos 7:00 pm Next Game Suns Date Time Team 3/28 7:00 pm Phi Complete Schedule Celtics Date Time Team 3/28 7:30 pm NO Complete Schedule

Liverpool co-owner Gillett reveals 'unworkable' relationship with Hicks

Gayle takes positives from loss
published: Saturday | March 29, 2008

Ambitious Austin dreams of playing in England

SEAN A WILLIAMS, Assistant Sports Editor Saturday, March 29, 2008

Jamaica's Rudolph Austin juggles with his head in a Reggae Boyz pre-game warm-up session in Sao Jose dos Pinhais on the Brazilian tour. (Photo: Sean Williams)

CURITIBA, Brazil - Jamaican player Rudolph Austin dreams big. His lofty goals serve as a source of motivation in his pursuit of a career as a professional footballer.

Based on his rhetoric and sense of mission, one gets the feeling that this ambitious young man will settle for nothing less. His mind is already there.

Austin, 22, currently plays at Portmore United, but the St Catherine club is a rung on the midfielder's ladder of success.

"My goal is to work hard and get a professional contract overseas so I can help my family.," he said. He would prefer to play in England where so many of his countrymen are already contracted.

"Definitely England, but I'd play anywhere that I would consider to be worthwhile. but I would prefer to go to England as I have a little thing with Stoke (City) where they partly own me and it's just my work permit that is the problem... if that comes through, I would go straight to them," explains the former Clarendon College daCosta Cup star.

Austin, who represented Jamaica at the Under-20 and Under-23 levels, now sets his sights on consolidating a place in the senior squad preparing for the World Cup qualifiers. Based on his performance in Brazil on the three-week training camp, he appears well on his way.

But while it is the consensus that Austin has been the stand-out of the camp, the Clarendon native is not about to rest on his laurels.

"I'm not quite satisfied, but I'm getting there. I know it's a long journey and I know that I have to keep working hard and do my best," he said from the team's base at Hotel Executivo in Sao Jose dos Pinhais - a municipality outside the Parana state capital, Curitiba.

Austin is a no-nonsense player. He tackles hard, shoots well, passes immaculately and is rock-solid in possession. Still, he yearns for more.

"I can kick the ball very well so I should be participating more in attack to get some more shots toward goal. That (passing) is one of my strong points, and I'm happy doing it and I just have to keep on doing it," he noted.
The captain of the team on its Brazilian tour, Austin pushes his fellow players, all of whom share the dream of playing in the 'Back to Africa' World Cup qualifying campaign which begins in June against either the Bahamas or The British Virgin Islands.
"Most of the players look up to me as a leader, so I... have to do my duty encouraging them to let them know that whenever we hit the pitch we are one unit...," Austin said.
These local-based players are not fooling themselves. They know making Simoes' final cut won't be easy as they'll be competing against several foreign-based professionals. Austin joined Simoes in telling the players that "the sky is the limit".

"My encouragement to them is that the sky is the limit for everyone. The past players like (Theodore) Whitmore have been encouraging us; they started from here (Brazil) so we have to just believe in ourselves and do what we have to do and show people that local football has improved. At the end of the day, it's each player who can put himself in the team," said Austin.

Austin, who made his debut at the senior level against Guatemala in a friendly in Fort Lauderdale as an 18-year-old in 2004, says he is encouraged by his and his teammates' improvement since arriving in Brazil.

"Definitely they're learning because they're playing better. The first night we came to Brazil I said to them that 'we are here for a reason and that is to get ourselves into the senior team', and if they're not here for that, it wouldn't be good for their sake," he said.

In the seven games Austin scored three times, but he lambasted his team for playing below par in the first three matches.

"In the first three games I wasn't too satisfied because we should've won... but I was satisfied with the game against Operario. we would have won if the referee didn't give us a bad deal, but it was one of our best games and the performance... shows that we're learning and growing as players," he said.

In the Operario draw, the Boyz were fluent throughout and dominated their opponents. With five minutes to go, the referee awarded a goal after the ball came off the Jamaican upright and back into play. It had not gone anywhere near the goal line.

Austin aimed praise at Portmore, the club that has shaped him to this point.

"Portmore is a very organised team and they train very well, and if you go to training and train hard every day, then you'll improve... Also, there is a high level of discipline there," he said.

The strapping player was one who quickly caught Simoes' eyes when the Brazilian took over in January. Austin played in all four friendly internationals - against Guatemala, El Savador, Costa Rica, Trinidad and Tobago - since Captain Horace Burrell returned as JFF president last November. And he looked the part for a relative newcomer.

WATCH THE GREAT MANUvs Liverpool

http://www.justin.tv/lenci10

Gayle says Windies will rebound in 2nd Test

CMC Thursday, March 27, 2008

GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC) - West Indies captain, Chris Gayle, is disappointed over losing the opening Digicel Test to Sri Lanka, but believes his side gained many positives from the match at the Guyana National Stadium.

After West Indies lost by 121 runs to hand Sri Lanka their first Test win in the Caribbean yesterday, Gayle lauded the fighting effort of his players.

"To be honest, I am very disappointed coming out on the losing side, but the guys really fought well. You have to give them credit for that," Gayle told reporters.

"The conditions were mainly suited for the Sri Lankans, but having said that, there were a few positives to take out of this game. The guys really fought well."

Set 437 to win, West Indies - resuming the final day on 96 for one - were dismissed for 315 at 4:44 pm with 6.4 overs remaining.

The resistance came through half-centuries from Gayle (51 not out), vice-captain Ramnaresh Sarwan (72) and make-shift opener Dwayne Bravo (83).

Bravo was opening the batting for the first time in a Test match and Gayle gave the background behind the move.
"While Bravo was bowling, I went up to him and said jokingly, 'Bravo, do you want to open the batting'? and he said 'yes, it would be better for me... coming in and facing the spinners just like that would be difficult'. I decided to exchange positions," Gayle said.

"It paid off in the end, but it is not something I will be looking for in the next game for Bravo to open the batting."

The defeat has left West Indies needing a victory to level the series in the second and final Test, beginning on April 3 at the Queen's Park Oval and Gayle was confident that his men could bounce back.

"We can. It's a must-win for us to square the series. We see what Sri Lanka have to offer in both the bowling and batting departments," he said.

"It is for us to go back to the drawing board, come prepared, focused and ready to play a tough Test match in Trinidad," Gayle said.

CHAMPS MADNESS
9 students arrested; cops seize ganja, weapons
COREY ROBINSON, Observer staff reporter robinsonc@jamaicaobserver.com
Saturday, March 15, 2008



Island Special Constabulary Force cops search students entering the National Stadium yesterday for Day 3 of the GraceKennedy/ISSA Boys' and Girls' Athletics Championships. Police said they arrested and charged nine students with possession of offensive weapons and marijuana. (Photo: Bryan Cummings)

Police yesterday reported that a total of nine students were arrested and charged with possession of offensive weapons and marijuana on the penultimate day of the 2008 GraceKennedy/ISSA Boys' and Girls' Athletics Championships.

At the same time, the cops were kept busy as students heading to the championships engaged in a number of violent clashes in Half-Way-Tree.

Six of the nine persons arrested were held in Half-Way-Tree by the Half-Way-Tree Police, while the others were nabbed by officers at the National Stadium.

The police also reported that they seized a total of 12 offensive weapons and an undetermined quantity of marijuana.

It was not immediately clear how many weapons were seized at the entrance to the stadium, but according to ground commander, Senior Superintendent Ray Palmer, the figure was less than 20.

"I guess with the increased warnings issued through the radio, and the culture that we have developed over the last couple of years, persons have started to understand that these things are not permitted in the venue and have left them behind," Palmer told the Observer.

Head of the St Andrew Central Police Division, Senior Superintendent George Quallo, said the cops were also called to quell a number of flare-ups between students in the Clock Tower Plaza area.

"Most of the weapons we seized yesterday were actually from that area," said Quallo. "We received reports of some fights in the plaza, but when the police accosted the children they ran off and left the weapons behind."

He added that his officers had their hands full yesterday as a number of students were detained and their parents informed about their misconduct.

At the stadium, apart from a few minor altercations between security guards and undisciplined students at the entrance to the venue, the proceedings went smoothly.

Persons were searched and approximately three boxes filled with confiscated tail c****s, toothbrushes, scissors, lighters, pens and other contraband were seen at the stadium gates.
Flag sticks longer than a foot littered the sidewalks as they were not permitted into the venue by the security guards.

The smooth running at the search area was, however, disrupted at one point as supporters waiting to enter the venue turned their attention to two Calabar supporters being whisked off in handcuffs by police.

The two were charged with selling marijuana and possession of offensive weapons after being interrogated and searched in the guardroom of the National Stadium Police Station.

But while the two detainees managed to steal the attention of the anxious crowd, another scene was created when two other Calabar supporters openly expressed their dissatisfaction after their tickets were confiscated by a police inspector.

"Them take away we ticket and seh we can't go inside because we a nuh schoolers and we must go pay the adult fee," one man who identified himself as Mickel Lindsay and who was dressed in a tight khaki pants and sported cornrows, told the Observer.

The police inspector was later embarra**ed when it was revealed that there was only one standard fee for all spectators for the day.

The ticket stands were sold out yesterday afternoon as majority of the spectators purchased tickets early for today's final day.

BLAME ME! Simoes accepts responsibility for slip-up vs T&T

SEAN A WILLIAMS, Assistant Sports Editor Friday, March 28, 2008

Jamaica's Tyrone Marshall (centre) scores his team's second goal past Trinidad & Tobago goalkeeper, Jan Michael Williams, during their friendly match at the National Stadium on Wednesday night. Skipper Aurtis Whitley is at right. The game ended 2-2. (Photo: Bryan Cummings)

National technical director Rene Simoes begged the Jamaican people not to cast blame on his players, but on him instead, after the Reggae Boyz gave up a 2-0 first-half lead to draw 2-2 with Trinidad & Tobago at the National Stadium on Wednesday night.

"I learnt what it is like to be the coach of a Jamaica team on Jamaican soil when the result goes against us. Today's (Wednesday's) result is hard for the supporters to take... don't blame the players, blame me," said the Brazilian at a post-match press conference shortly after the friendly match between the Caribbean rivals.

Fans left 'The Office' with a bitter taste in their mouths after the Boyz squandered a 2-0 half-time lead when it seemed they were headed for another victory over their arch-rivals, popularly known as the Soca Warriors.

"With us leading Trinidad 2-0, they (supporters) expected us to kill Trinidad. In a good way that is, but we didn't. I take full responsibility for the performance and the result. The players must learn from their mistake, but in the end I take full responsibility," said Simoes, who is on his second stint in charge of the national programme.

The Jamaicans looked in full control at the half-way mark after goals from rookie captain Marlon King in the 34th minute and Tyrone Marshall in the 40th, but the home team lost its keel on the second sail when Simoes packed the team with a number of "local and inexperienced" players for the more seasoned overseas professionals who started the contest.

"When things are not going good, it is me the coach that everybody will look at. It was my decision to make the changes... it was my decision to take out Marlon King and put in Deon Burton.

"Also I am responsible for taking off Omar Daley and replace him with young (Ricardo) Cousins and it was (my) responsibility to take out (Demar) Phillips," said Simoes.

"They (local) are talented players and they proved that, especially in the first half. Maybe in the second half I didn't make the right changes at the right time. I am proud of the players," he added.

Bringing in the local-based players in the second half in this high-stakes game, noted Simoes, was part of his plan to give exposure to the local pool.

"I must congratulate Trinidad for the way they played and how they are using young players, and we are doing the same. We can't just look at overseas players; we have to have a mix.

"I have all the confidence in the players who played in the game," said the Brazilian, who guided Jamaica to their first World Cup Finals appearance in France in 1998.
Jamaican football boss, Captain Horace Burrell, said he was disappointed with the result, but was "not perturbed".

"I, too, am disappointed, to say the least. It was very unfortunate that we did not win the game, but when you looked carefully at what happened, you would have seen that in the first half we had our more experienced players on the pitch.

"But one has to also understand... that there are players that the coach must look at with World Cup qualifiers just around the corner in June," Burrell said.

Meanwhile, Trinidad's assistant coach Anton Corneal praised his young side for a gutsy second-half display.

"We came into this game with a very young team... we started training with this team about four weeks ago... there was one 16-year-old starting the game, a couple of 18-year-olds, and using these young players is to help secure the future of
Trinidad & Tobago's football," he noted.

Corneal suggested that Jamaica lost their grip on the game because of "a false sense of security".

"The worst thing that can happen is to have a 2-0 lead because it gives you a false sense of security, and I think that is what happened to Jamaica. In the second half... we saw... a lot of heart from our players, and that is what we were looking for," he said.

Osei Telesford (74th minute) and skipper Aurtis Whitley (90th) scored for T&T.

Red-hot Thomas sinks Arnett Gardens
published: Thursday | March 27, 2008

English Premier League Roundup, Mar. 23

Five more matches on in Champions Cup KO

Thursday, March 27, 2008

The second round of the COK Champions Cup All-island Knockout competition continues this afternoon with five matches.

Today's fixtures will see two all-Premier League match-ups, with Portmore taking on Boys' Town at Ferdie Neita Park in a mouth-watering encounter.

While, St George's entertain Village United at Lynch Park in the other game.

In the remaining games featuring Premier Leaguers, August Town host Hanover's Sandy Bay at the UWI Bowl; St Mary's Albany tackle Waterhouse at Clembhard Park; while Bath Sports Club of St Thomas will be at home to Granville of St James.

All games start at 3:00 pm, except for the Portmore versus Boys' Town match, which begins at 7:00

Haynes pleads for Windies Academy

CMC Thursday, March 27, 2008

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) - West Indies batting legend, Desmond Haynes, yesterday pleaded for a regional cricket academy, in order to get West Indies cricket back up the ladder.

Haynes was at the time delivering an address at the Sports Desk Symposium - at the Cascadia Hotel and Conference Centre - entitled 'Rebuilding West Indies Glory'.

"Too much money is being spent by the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) by bringing in these coaches from outside, when we in the Caribbean can do a better job. If I had to make a choice, I don't think I would appoint a coach of the West Indies team," Haynes said.

"Let me tell you as a former player that when you reach at the West Indies senior team level, it is very hard to change a player. I think that the West Indies Cricket Board should concentrate on cricket at the youth level and mould these players into winners."

Haynes said that former great West Indies players should be involved in assisting the young players at an academy.
"I am saying that a cricket academy in the West Indies is very crucial to our success. The former great players might not want to travel with the team day in, day out but they may want to still assist the players. Remember, these guys have families and they would have travelled a lot during their playing days. Now they may not want to continue that but more importantly, I think that they will be better served at the Academy than being around the Test team for just a few days before a match."

Haynes, now 52 years old, played 116 Test matches and 237 One Day International (ODI) matches between 1978 and 1994.

He struck 18 Test hundreds while averaging 42.29 and believes ex-players could add value to an Academy by conducting clinics with the players.

"What can be done is that the WICB sets up an academy and allow former players to come in and host clinics in the different disciplines. This would work well and will be of tremendous help to the young players," Haynes said.

"With the technology available to us right now, the coaches can sit at the academy and view videos of the players during their net sessions and matches and make recommendations to them. You don't have to be on the spot to make a change," he said.

Haynes added that a number of mini academies must be set up in each territory and players can then move on to the major academy from there.

The Barbadian batting stalwart added that a number of former players are willing to help but the WICB needs to put things in place to have them on board and must give them their full support.

Bravo pulls out of Carib match against Bajans

CMC Thursday, March 27, 2008

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) - West Indies all-rounder, Dwayne Bravo, has pulled out of Trinidad and Tobago's team for their Carib Beer Series final round match against Barbados this weekend.

According to chairman of the national senior selection panel Dudnath Ramkessoon, Bravo spoke to newly appointed trainer of the West Indies team Gerald Garcia about some niggling injuries and was advised to rest for a few days.
The Barbados/T&T game starts on Friday at Guaracara Park in Pointe-a-Pierre.

Bravo, who scored a fighting 83 on yesterday's final day of the first Digicel Test against Sri Lanka in Guyana, will be replaced in the T&T side by his younger brother and West Indies youth batsman, Darren Bravo.

On Tuesday, West Indies wicketkeeper, Denesh Ramdin, opted out of the T&T team because of a back injury.
His place was taken by wicketkeeper/batsman, Gibran Mohammed.

With Jamaica having already captured the title, T&T are aiming to finish second ahead of Barbados to earn a place in the Carib Beer Challenge final.

T&T have 43 points, one point more than Barbados.
T&T coach Kelvin Williams said he was confident his youthful side would beat Barbados.

"Guaracara Park is T&T's favourite hunting ground against Barbados in recent time and this year will be no exception," Williams said.

"Moreso, two of their main contributors - Ryan Hinds and Pedro Collins - will be out for various reasons."
Hinds, one of Barbados' main run-scorers, strained a hamstring during the current Test while Collins is in England to fulfill a contract with Surrey.

T&T will have a training session at the playing venue on Thursday from 9:00 am.

The Corey Collymore-led Barbados team checked into their hotel in South Trinidad on Tuesday night and enjoyed a light workout at Guaracara Park yesterday.

Fighting Windies succumb to Lankans in 1st Test

CMC Thursday, March 27, 2008

GEORGETOWN, Guyana - West Indies all-rounder, Dwayne Bravo, attempts a sweep shot against Sri Lanka on the fifth day of the first Test match at the Providence Stadium yesterday. (Photo: AP)

GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC) - Despite showing valiant fighting spirit, West Indies handed Sri Lanka their first Test win in the Caribbean after losing the opening Digicel Test by 121 runs in the dying stages of the final day at the Guyana National Stadium yesterday.

Set an unlikely 437 to win, West Indies, undermined by a five-wicket haul from left-arm fast bowler Chaminda Vaas, were dismissed for 315 at 4:44 pm with 6.4 overs remaining.

West Indies' resistance came through half-centuries from captain Chris Gayle, vice-captain Ramnaresh Sarwan and make-shift opener Dwayne Bravo, but they were unable to bat out the final day after resuming on 96 for one.

Man-of-the-Match Vaas, who made telling inroads after lunch, finished with five for 61 from 22.2 overs and had the distinction of ending the match with the help of a brilliant running catch by Muttiah Muralitharan at mid-off.

GEORGETOWN, Guyana - Sri Lanka's Muttiah Muralitharan (centre) lifts a stump while celebrating victory over the West Indies in the first Test at the Guyana National Stadium, in Providence yesterday. Sri Lanka won by 121 runs. (Photo: AP)

Bravo, opening the batting in a Test for the first time, played impressively for 83 while Sarwan, who assisted him in a second wicket century stand, batted doggedly for 72.

Gayle, who came in No 6 in a direct exchange of positions with Bravo, was left unbeaten on 51 but was roundly criticised for allowing No 11 Daren Powell to take on more of Vaas.

West Indies seemed to be heading for defeat after losing four wickets in the pre-tea session and a further two in the first half-hour after the break, but Jerome Taylor stayed with Gayle for an hour to give the home team a chance of saving the match.

Taylor was eventually dislodged by a rising ball from Vaas that he gloved to second slip, leaving the last wicket pair of Gayle and Powell to bat out a further 10.5 overs.

Gayle, who batted for 215 minutes, faced 131 balls and hit seven fours and six, opted not to take a single at the start of a new over from Vaas and Powell was unable to survive the next ball.

With admission charges substantially reduced, the biggest crowd of the match was in attendance and their hopes were raised when West Indies lost just one wicket in the pre-lunch period.

West Indies were given hope of an unlikely win when Bravo and Sarwan batted through the first hour and 40 minutes without being separated.

Their second-wicket partnership was worth 134 when Bravo, who started the day on 46, gave a return catch to off-spinner Muralitharan to end an innings that lasted just over three hours in which he faced 169 balls and struck 10 fours and a six.

West Indies went to lunch at 170 for two, but Vaas gave Sri Lanka a boost by cheaply removing Marlon Samuels and Shivnarine Chanderpaul soon after the break.

Samuels (10) fell to a catch by the 'keeper for the second time in the match when he nibbled at a ball outside the off stump, while Chanderpaul (3) was bowled off the inside edge.

Sarwan, who started the day on 34 and batted carefully in the pre-lunch session to progress to 51, was again playing with caution when he was ruled lbw to a ball from left-arm fast bowler Thilan Thushara that was seemingly beating leg stump.

It brought an end to a fighting effort that lasted four-and-a-half hours in which he faced 206 balls and struck three fours.

West Indies also lost Ryan Hinds for 10 on the stroke of tea to a leg-side catch by stand-in wicket-keeper Kumar Sangakkara as he attempted to sweep off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan.

At 229 for six at tea, Sri Lanka were favoured to win and they took a grip on proceedings when Denesh Ramdin (1) edged a catch to first slip of left-arm fast bowler Thilan Thushara and Sulieman Benn (7) was lbw trying to push forward to Muralitharan.

Gayle and Taylor got together to add 47 for the ninth wicket as time was running out on Sri Lanka, but Vaas grabbed the last two wickets.

Vaas, who also took three wickets in the first innings and made an unbeaten 54, earned the Man-of-the-Match award for his efforts.

The second Test starts on April 3 at the Queen's Park Oval in Port of Spain.

In the intervening period, Sri Lanka will play a practice match in Tobago starting on Saturday, while some West Indies players will be involved in the last round of Carib Beer Series matches beginning tomorrow.

Scoreboard

SRI LANKA 1st Innings 476-8 dec (M Jayawardene 136; J Taylor 4-110)
WEST INDIES 1st Innings 280 (R Sarwan 80; C Vaas 3-48)
SRI LANKA 2nd Innings 240-7 dec (M Warnapura 62; S Benn 3-59)
WEST INDIES 2nd Innings (Overnight 96-1)
D Smith c Thushara b Vaas 10
D Bravo c and b Muralitharan 83
R Sarwan lbw b Thushara 72
M Samuels c wkp Sangakkara b Vaas 10
S Chanderpaul b Vaas 3
*C Gayle not out 51
R Hinds c wkp Sangakkara b Muralitharan 10
+D Ramdin c M. Jayawardene b Thushara 1
S Benn lbw b Muralitharan 7
J Taylor c Dilshan b Vaas 12
D Powell c Muralitharan b Vaas 14
Extras (b25, lb3, nb14) 42
TOTAL (all out - 106.2 overs) 315
Fall of wickets: 1-22, 2-156, 3-171, 4-178, 5-212, 6-229, 7-231, 8-244, 9-291, 10-315.
BOWLING: Vaas 22.2-7-61-5, Thushara 17-2-70-2 (nb8), Herath 22-7-44-0 (nb1), Muralitharan 45-6-112-3 (nb1).
RESULT: Sri Lanka won by 121 runs.
Series: Sri Lanka 1-0 up in two-match series
Man-of-the-Match: Chaminda Vaas.
Umpires: Billy Bowden, Simon Taufel. TV replays: Clyde Duncan.
Matchreferee: Chris Broad.

TRINIDAD and TOBAGO last night snatched a 2-2 draw at the death from the Reggae Boyz when Aurtis Whitley booted a long-range shot, from 25 yards out, past substitute goalkeeper Duwayne Kerr.

The Soca Warriors benefited from sloppy defending on the Boyz's part to rally from two goals down in the first-half after a classy strike from Marlon King and a clean finish by the overlapping veteran, Tyrone Marshall, put Jamaica 2-0 up after 40 minutes.

Jamaica, ranked 10 places lower than Trinidad, who are 93rd on FIFA's latest list, went in cruising on a 2-0 lead at half-time but fell apart in the second half after King and starting goalkeeper, Donovan Ricketts, were substituted at the restart.

Trinidad, who always looked dangerous, especially on set-plays in the first half, got a breather after the injured Omar Daley, who bothered them all night with his pace down the right flank, was substituted in the 67th minute.

a dissappointing 2-2, after leading by two goals to zip:(
goal times and scorers:-

JA-
M. KING- 34'
T. MARSHALL- 41'

TT-
doesnt say 60'
A.WHITLEY 90'

Smalling secures St Jago win in schoolboy KO

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Opening batsman, Louanne Smalling, scored yet another century (122) as St Jago defeated Wolmer's Boys' by 172 runs under the Duckworth/Lewis Method after rain halted play in their 50-over JIIC KO cricket competition last week.
Scores: St Jago 352-6; Wolmer's 110-7 from 24.4 overs.

Smalling, who earlier hit a century in the Grace Shield, got support from skipper Jerome Hamilton (65), Ramone Reid (45) and Garth Garvey (44) to secure their team's win.
Jason Solomon (2-20) was the best of the bowlers.

When Wolmer's replied, captain Jon-Ross Campbell (39) and Patrick Palmer (30) resisted, but Aaron Daley, Jnr (3-21) kept them behind the required run rate.

Meanwhile, champions Eltham High stayed on course to meet St Jago in one semi-final by recording a 76-run win against Excelsior High.

Romeo Parker (32) and Romeo Dunka (21) propelled the victors to 131 all out as Anthony Wadsworth took 3-41 and Ransford Merchant, 2-13. Excelsior were then skittled out for 56 runs as Frederick Hermitt claimed 5-1 from five overs.

In the other half of the draw, Ardenne set up a semifinal contest against Waterford by beating Mona by 58 runs.

Batting first, the victors compiled 160 all out with Geon-Carlo Dujon getting 29 and Alex Robinson, 69 not out. Jahvon Wollaston took 4-29 and Omar Smith, 2-50.

Mona were then bowled out for 102 with only Nahari Mc Donald (35) offering any resistance. Travis Reid claimed 3-9 and Damion McCalla, 3-27.

Waterford came up with a 29-run win over St Catherine High. The winners' total of 122 was made possible through the efforts of Marlon Walters (30), Marlon Hoilette (27) and Jeffery Roberts with 23.

Kevon Lawrence claimed 5-49 and Coy Thompson, 2-14.The losers were then blown away for 93 runs as Damville Campbell took 6-27 and Hoilette, 2-14.

Huge target for Windies

Axe hanging over Mexico's Sanchez

Windies chase 437 for victory

CMC Wednesday, March 26, 2008

GEORGETOWN, Guyana - West Indies fastbowler, Jerome Taylor (right), celebrates the wicket of Sri Lanka's Tillakaratne Dilshan, lbw for four runs, with wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin on the fourth day of the first Test match at the Guyana National Stadium yesterday. (Photo: AP)

GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC) - West Indies, behind an enterprising second-wicket partnership between make-shift opener, Dwayne Bravo, and vice-captain, Ramnaresh Sarwan, made a positive start after Sri Lanka set them an imposing target on the fourth day of the first Digicel Test at the Guyana National Stadium at Providence yesterday.

Set 437 to win after Sri Lanka declared their second innings about 40 minutes after tea on 240-7, the hosts recovered from the early loss to Devon Smith to close the day on 96-1.

Bravo, opening the batting in place of Chris Gayle, played positively for an undefeated 46 off 70 balls and Sarwan supported with 34 off 55 balls as they added 74 to leave West Indies needing a further 341 to win on the final day.

It was a tactical move to send Bravo at the top and he batted with little bother for an hour-and-three-quarters in which he confidently stroked six fours and a six. Sarwan was less enterprising and managed two boundaries.

West Indies, who faced 23 overs before the close, lost Devon Smith for ten from a top-edged hook to left-arm fastbowler, Chaminda Vaas, that was superbly caught at long-leg by a diving Thilan Thushara.

Sri Lanka, who collected first innings lead by 196, batted freely in their second innings despite losing wickets at intervals.

Their effort was built on half-centuries from Malinda Warnapura and Thilan Samaraweera with supporting contributions from Michael Vandort, Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene.

In just under an hour-and-a-half before lunch, they scored 83 runs in losing one wicket and the tempo of four runs an over was sustained in the pre-tea period in which they managed 103 runs for the loss of four wickets.

As Sri Lanka went after quick runs, some of the batsmen paid the price for aggressive strokes and debutant left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn was able to benefit with three wickets.

Warnapura, who made a debut Test century in the first innings, sustained his fine form with an impressive 62 off 91 balls before edging a catch to the keeper off medium-pacer Bravo.

It was the second wicket of the innings for Bravo who has earlier removed Sangakkara for 21 with a slower ball and the help of a running catch by substitute Fidel Edwards from mid-off.

Skipper Jayawardene also scored briskly in making 33 off 38 balls before giving Benn his first Test wicket. Jayawardene, a century-maker in the first innings, was caught by Shivnarine Chanderpaul at mid-wicket as he skied an attempted pull.

The fourth wicket in pre-tea session came 20 minutes before the break when Tillakeratne Dilshan was lbw on the back foot to fastbowler, Jerome Taylor, for four.

Sri Lanka went to the tea break with a lead of 382 but batted on for a further 40 minutes after the break when Samaraweera completed his half-century. When the declaration was made, he was unbeaten on 56 off 89 balls.

Benn, who was wicketless in the first innings, added the wickets of Chamida Vaas and Thilan Thushara after tea to finish with three for 59 off 13 overs. Bravo took two for 54 in 14 overs.

Earlier, West Indies avoided the follow-on after resuming their first innings on 269 for nine in response to Sri Lanka's 476-8 declared.

Needing another eight runs to make Sri Lanka bat again, last wicket pair of Jerome Taylor and Daren Powell extended their partnership to 28 before West Indies were dismissed for 280.

The pair added another 11 runs before Powell edged a low catch to second slip that was taken by Jayawardene to give left-arm fast bowler Thilan Thushara his third wicket of the innings.

Taylor, who started the day on 22, was left unbeaten on 27.
Thushara finished with three for 59, while fellow left-armer Chamida Vaas took three for 48 and off-spinner Mutiah Muralitharan, three for 112.

Scoreboard

SRI LANKA 1st Innings 476-8 dec'd

WEST INDIES 1st Innings (overnight 269-9)

J Taylor not out 27
D Powell c M. Jayawardene b Thushar 12

Extras (lb4, nb4) 8

TOTAL (all out, 111.5 overs) 280

Fall of wickets: 1-4, 2-46, 3-58, 4-99, 5-109, 6-162, 7-193, 8-236 9-252, 10-280

Bowling: Vaas 25-7-48-3, Thushara 20.5-3-59-3, Dilshan 1-0-2-0, Muralitharan 40-6-112-3 (nb2), Herath 25-6-55-0 (nb2).

SRI LANKA 2nd Innings

M Vandort c wkp Ramdin b Gayle 24
M Warnapura c wkp Ramdin b Bravo 62
K Sangakkara c sub (Edwards) b Bravo 21
*M Jayawardene c Chanderpaul b Benn 33
T Samaraweera not out 56
T Dilshan lbw b Taylor 4
C Vaas c wkp Ramdin b Benn 13
T Thushara c Taylor b Benn 14
+P Jayawardene not out 5

Extras (b2, lb1, nb5) 8

TOTAL (7 wkts, 57 overs) 240

Fall of wickets: 1-43, 2-94, 3-133, 4-159, 5-171, 6-192, 7-224.

Bowling: Powell 9-0-33-0, Taylor 8-0-37-1, Bravo 14-0-54-2 (nb1), Benn 13-0-59-3, Gayle 13-1-54-1.

WEST INDIES 2nd Innings

D Smith c Thushara b Vaas 10
D Bravo not out 46
R Sarwan not out 34

Extras (b5, nb1) 6

TOTAL (1 wkt, 23 overs) 96

Fall of wicket: 1-22.

Bowling: Vaas 6-2-23-1, Thushara 4-1-31-0 (nb1), Herath 7-1-19-0, Muralitharan 6-1-18-0.

Umpires: Billy Bowden, Simon Taufel. TV replays: Clyde Duncan.

Match referee: Chris Broad.

Sarwan says Guyana surface suits Sri Lanka better

CMC Tuesday, March 25, 2008

GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC) - West Indies vice-captain Ramnaresh Sarwan believes the conditions at the Guyana National Stadium for the first Digicel Test match against Sri Lanka are more suited to the visitors.

Sarwan made the observation after making 80 on the third day which the opponents ended in an advantageous position after a disappointing batting performance by the home team yesterday.

"What we've got to understand clearly is that the surface here we are playing on is very similar to ones that they play on in Sri Lanka," Sarwan told reporters.

"When I toured Sri Lanka a few years ago, it was the same sort of surface. Mahela (Jayawardene) seems to know the conditions pretty well with the sort of field-placements he is putting forward."

West Indies, replying to Sri Lanka's 476 for eight declared, struggled to 269 for nine at stumps, still needing another eight runs to avoid the follow-on.

Sarwan echoed the comment of teammate Jerome Taylor, who said at the end of the opening day that he expected a pitch with more assistance to the bowlers.

"I don't want to lament too much on whether it is a problem, but the sort of surface we are playing on here in Guyana ... we know Guyana is traditionally flat and slow, but you have to take into consideration the opposition you are playing against - whether you want a wicket that is faster and bouncier," Sarwan said.

"Probably we should have had the opportunity to play on something that had some more pace and bounce."
It was Sarwan's first Test innings since last May and he batted solidly before edging a catch to the keeper off left-arm fast bowler Chaminda Vaas.

The dismissal left his hometown supporters disappointed that he missed out on a century.

"I'm very disappointed, but at the same time I have to be thankful that I've actually had the opportunity to participate in the game and be batting in my original position at No 3," Sarwan said.

"I had a bit of a scare with my small finger, but fortunately, I was able to take part."

On the first day, he damaged his left little finger while trying to catch at short mid-off, but an x-ray revealed there was no serious damage.

Having endured a series of injuries over the past year-and-a-half, Sarwan thought at one stage that this might have been another one.

"I can't repeat what I said. It was a sort of déjà vu feeling, but nevertheless, it slipped out and it slipped back in," Sarwan said.

"Everything seems to be okay now. It is just a matter of trying not to get hit on it again. I just have to careful and try and guard against it.

"It did bother me a bit, but I tried not to show it to the opposition."

Jamaica's Reggae Boyz firm favourites to beat T&T's Soca Warriors

Nº	Team	GP	W	D	L	GF	GA	+/-	Pts	Home	Away
1.	Manchester United	31	23	4	4	64	15	49	73	14-1-1	9-3-3
2.	Chelsea	31	20	8	3	55	23	32	68	10-5-0	10-3-3
3.	Arsenal	31	19	10	2	59	24	35	67	12-4-0	7-6-2
4.	Liverpool	31	16	11	4	55	24	31	59	9-6-1	7-5-3
5.	Everton	31	17	6	8	48	26	22	57	9-3-3	8-3-5
6.	Portsmouth	31	14	8	9	44	33	11	50	6-7-2	8-1-7
7.	Aston Villa	31	13	10	8	52	40	12	49	8-3-5	5-7-3
8.	Blackburn Rovers	31	13	10	8	42	38	4	49	7-5-4	6-5-4
9.	Manchester City	31	13	10	8	36	34	2	49	10-4-2	3-6-6
10.	West Ham United	31	12	8	11	34	37	-3	44	6-5-4	6-3-7
11.	Tottenham Hotspur	31	10	9	12	60	51	9	39	8-3-4	2-6-8
12.	Middlesbrough	31	8	10	13	28	44	-16	34	5-4-6	3-6-7
13.	Newcastle United	31	8	8	15	33	57	-24	32	6-5-5	2-3-10
14.	Wigan Athletic FC	31	8	7	16	28	45	-17	31	7-3-5	1-4-11
15.	Reading	31	9	4	18	37	58	-21	31	8-1-7	1-3-11
16.	Sunderland	31	8	6	17	27	48	-21	30	7-3-5	1-3-12
17.	Birmingham City	31	6	9	16	35	48	-13	27	4-6-5	2-3-11
18.	Bolton Wanderers	31	6	8	17	28	45	-17	26	5-5-6	1-3-11
19.	Fulham	31	4	11	16	27	51	-24	23	4-5-7	0-6-9
20.	Derby County	31	1	7	23	14	65	-51	10	1-4-10	0-3-13