Faced with the challenge of establishing a winning culture, Reggae Boyz Head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson insists that he is trying to do so in ways large and small. Though his plans, where delivering according to expectations are yet to really take flight, the Icelandic coach remains adamant that his brand is becoming increasingly evident on the Boyz since he took the reins late last year.

 For Hallgrimsson, the manner in which the Boyz have started their Concacaf Nations League campaign, is an extension of their Gold Cup semi-final run, and that, he believes represents a step in the right direction.

The 58th-ranked Boyz currently head Group B on four points in League A competition, as they registered a 1-0 win over Honduras last Friday, followed by a come-from-behind 2-2 stalemate with Haiti at the National Stadium on Tuesday.

“Everybody has their opinion, and I cannot control what people feel about the team. The only thing I can say is that we will continue to work, and we will try to improve. We all see football in a different way, with different eyes how we want football to be played, but we are trying to develop our game and that's the only thing we can do. We will continue to do what we have been trying to do,” Hallgrimsson declared.

Having stressed that his is a culture that is about improvement, Hallgrimsson expressed pleasure with the Boyz display against Haiti when compared to that against Honduras.

In that opener against Honduras, the Boyz looked scrappy when in possession, as their passing and, by extension, movements off the ball was woefully lacking and it took Demarai Gray’s solitary goal to spare their blushes.

While the Boyz looked much better in their attacking transition against Haiti, they were sloppy defensively and that resulted in the opponents taking and early two goal lead courtesy of Don Louicius, who struck in the 12th and 15th minutes. However, Hallgrimsson’s side rescued a point through a 51st-minute own-goal and Bobby Reid’s 81st minute penalty.

“If we compare these two performances, we did much better this game than against Honduras, so we need to be pleased that we are going at least in the right direction, even though we didn't win today (Tuesday). I thought we had a much better game, even though we won against Honduras,” Hallgrimsson shared during a post-game press conference.

He continued: “If we look at the results, I think it is good that we did not lose this game, and performance wise, I would say, even at two-zero, I felt that we were better team in that moment. So, it (falling behind) was kind of a slap in the face and if we take away those two, three mistakes, we didn't give them chances. I think we played a really a good game.

“But a coach is always most pleased with the character and togetherness that they showed to win this game. They fought until the end, we wanted to win…I think everybody saw that we wanted to win, we pushed for the win. So, I'm mostly pleased with the character in the team, we stood our ground and I like that we played in a high tempo like that as well and we should build on this performance in my opinion.”

That said, Hallgrimsson pointed out that with the core of his team now identified, the expectation is that the Boyz hustle and competitiveness will remain on the upgrade, especially as they hunt qualification for next year’s 48th edition of the prestigious Copa America to be staged in the United States.

Their next assignments will be away to Grenada on October 12, before visiting Haiti in the Dominican Republic on October 15.

To get to the Copa America, the Jamaicans are required to finish in the top six, as such, they will need to secure one of two spots from their group to progress to quarter-finals.

Should they do so and go on to win their quarter-finals fixture, the Boyz would automatically secure berth to Copa America. However, if not, then they would take the playoff route for a second shot at qualification.

“We're always looking to improve, I said it in the last press conference, we're happy with what we have, but we're always looking out for improvements in every area of our game for players but also how we play, or we work together etc.

“So, we just have to improve how we do things and do as much as we can. We try to analyze the opponent where the weakness is, and I felt we had a chance to punish them better than we did. But the only way you can improve your conversion rate is to train it day after day,” the tactician ended.

In a thrilling showdown at Up Park Camp, Manchester reigned supreme in this year's Kingston Wharves U15 Cricket Competition, defeating defending champion St. Mary to claim the coveted title. Despite St. Mary's unbeaten record leading up to the final and a prior victory over Manchester in the preliminary round, Manchester clinched victory by eight wickets in a low-scoring encounter.

The match faced a delayed start due to overnight rain and pitch conditions. Manchester won the toss and opted to field, a decision that quickly paid dividends. Opening bowler Demario Hall wreaked havoc, taking an impressive five wickets for a mere seven runs in six overs. Kevaughn Flemmings chipped in with three wickets for 11 runs, while Jadeah Moore secured one wicket for 14 runs. St. Mary struggled to find their footing, losing wickets at regular intervals, and eventually being bowled out for a modest 64 runs in 23.3 overs.

Manchester began their innings positively, with captain Demario Hall anchoring the chase with an unbeaten 35 runs. Kevoy Williams contributed 14 runs but was the first wicket to fall with the score at 43. Manchester eventually surpassed the target, reaching 68 for two wickets in 17 overs. The wickets for St. Mary were claimed by Tyson Gordon (one for 15) and Shavaughn Boyd (one for 17).

Coach Jamaine Morgan of Manchester attributed the team's success to the experience gained from playing Senior Cup cricket. "Me and some of the guys play Senior Cup for Manchester. The likes of Demario Hall, Pajay Nelson, and Jadeah Moore, we all play Senior Cup together, so they learn from the senior players. We focus on teaching them the fundamentals they haven't mastered yet. At the end of the day, we emerged victorious and were able to limit them to a low total through hard work and determination. We represented Manchester proudly," Morgan stated.

Oneil Cruickshank, the cricket operations officer at the Jamaica Cricket Association, expressed satisfaction with the tournament's performances, highlighting the improved performance of the young players compared to previous years. "The youngsters performed better than they did last year, which made me feel good, knowing that the work we have put in has been paying off," he said. He also praised the female cricketers who participated in the competition.

Mark Williams, CEO of Kingston Wharves, reaffirmed the company's long-standing commitment to sponsoring the Kingston Wharves U15 Cricket Competition, emphasizing their dedication to building character and fostering cricket talent in Jamaica and the West Indies. This year marked the 32nd year of Kingston Wharves' sponsorship.

Following the final, an awards ceremony celebrated outstanding achievements, with several players receiving accolades. Demario Hall of Manchester received the MVP of the final award, team MVP, and shared the title of most wickets with Kenrick McFarlane of Lucas, both tallying 23 wickets. Pajay Nelson, also from Manchester, secured two awards: most runs (274) and best wicket-keeper (10 dismissals). Shavaughn Boyd was recognized as the team MVP for St. Mary.

 

In times of adversity, true friendship shines brightest, and the bond between Jamaican netball player Adean Thomas and her teammate Latanya Wilson is a testament to the strength of their friendship. Adean Thomas, who plays center for Jamaica's Sunshine Girls, has been a pillar of support for Latanya Wilson in the aftermath of the devastating fire that consumed her home on Rum Lane in Kingston on August 17.

Adean and Latanya, who plays for Adelaide Thunderbirds, Australia’s Suncorp Super Netball League champions, became friends and teammates in 2019 when they joined forces on the netball court. While they were familiar with each other before, their friendship truly blossomed when they shared the same netball journey. Adean shares, "Since 2019, Latanya and I have been teammates. We kept in touch while she was in Australia, and our friendship grew stronger. We made the team for the Commonwealth Games, Taini Jamison, and World Cup, and ever since, our friendship has been even closer."

When tragedy struck on the night of August 17, Thomas, who had recently suffered the loss of her grandmother, knew she had to be there for her dear friend, Latanya. Adean reflected on that fateful day, saying, "When I heard the news, I was utterly devastated. Gezelle (Allison) and I immediately went to see her. I just bounced out of bed, cleaned my teeth, and headed right to Rum Lane without even taking a shower. Even in my pajamas, I conducted an interview to seek help for her. It didn't matter to me because she needed the support, and Jamaica needed to hear and see that."

Their initial conversations were not centered on the fire but rather on comforting each other through laughter, tears, and shared memories. Adean remembers those moments fondly, "The majority of our chats were unrelated to the fire and instead focused on topics like netball and school. We comforted each other, laughing, crying, and hugging each other."

The tragic circumstances of losing their homes and loved ones have indeed drawn Adean and Latanya closer together. Adean acknowledged that when he grandmother passed away, Wilson played a crucial role in supporting her during the Netball World Cup.

She adds, "We were closer even before the death of my nana. She gave me the support I needed during the World Cup. She never stopped being encouraging and motivating to me. She helped me stay upbeat and concentrated on the job at hand."

As Wilson received a new home on a lease-to-buy basis from the Jamaican government and generous support from entities like the Grace and Staff Community Development Foundation, Thomas, who was present once again in support, expressed her happiness and gratitude, saying, "I mean it's something good, you know, I mean with what she's been through and for the other persons that were involved in the fire, just for persons to come on board; it means so much to her and the team, and I'm just happy for her."

Andrea Atzeni enjoyed the first win of his new Hong Kong venture when Mega Bonus landed a valuable Happy Valley handicap.

The Italian rider made the move to Hong Kong in search of further opportunities after the Ebor meeting at York, gaining an initial six-month licence which will last until February 12.

After four rides the jockey registered the first win of this stint in a new jurisdiction as Mega Bonus, trained by Ricky Yiu, took the £120,000 Tao O Handicap by a length and a half.

Atzeni said: “I landed my first ever win in Hong Kong here at Happy Valley eight years ago, so it’s a nice feeling to be back, and to bang in a winner at only the second meeting of the season feels good.

“A massive thank you to Ricky, who has been very supportive from the minute I arrived.

“He’s been using me a lot in barrier trials and gallops, so it’s nice to get my first winner for him.”

Darnation bids to provide trainer Karl Burke with yet another big-race success in the juvenile division in Thursday’s Betfred May Hill Stakes at Doncaster.

The Spigot Lodge handler has saddled more than 40 two-year-old winners in 2023, the most notable of which came in Ireland last weekend as Fallen Angel rocketed to the head of ante-post lists for next year’s 1000 Guineas with victory in the Moyglare Stud Stakes.

That was Burke’s first at Group One level since landing the Prix Rothschild four years ago with star filly Laurens, who actually registered her first win at Pattern level in the May Hill in 2017.

https://x.com/Goodwood_Races/status/1695424012602540221?s=20

Burke feels that while Darnation perhaps lacks the class of Fallen Angel, she has plenty in her favour on Town Moor as she looks to add to her previous wins in novice company at Thirsk and in the Group Three Prestige Stakes at Goodwood three weeks ago.

He said: “The trip, the track, the ground and everything will suit. She’s not a flashy work horse at home, but she seems very well and any rain I would imagine will be to her advantage – it certainly won’t be a disadvantage to her.

“She was very tough down at Goodwood and she put up a very good performance to break her maiden at Thirsk. That form was franked to a degree, with the second horse (Nighteyes) that she beat 10 lengths coming out and winning next time.

“I can’t hand on heart say she’s in the league of Fallen Angel, but she’s obviously a talented filly and she goes there as the top-rated horse in the race, so it’s very exciting.”

Darnation is set to renew rivalry with the William Haggas-trained Hard To Resist, who was just over two lengths behind her when third at Goodwood in the royal colours of the King and Queen.

“She ran well at Goodwood, staying on well behind Darnation. Unfortunately Darnation has got a good draw, as have we, and hopefully we can do a bit better, but Darnation is the one to beat,” Haggas told Sky Sports Racing.

“Both Cieren Fallon, who won on her at Newmarket, and Saffie Osborne, who rode her at Goodwood, reported that she’ll be better on better ground, so if it does dry up a bit that will suit her.”

Other contenders for the Group Two prize include a pair of July course debut winners in Ralph Beckett’s Meribella and Andrew Balding’s See The Fire, Ollie Sangster’s runaway Salisbury scorer Romanova and the hat-trick seeking Zenjabeela from Roger Varian’s yard.

Ger Lyons unveiled a nice prospect at Punchestown as Rising Sign made a winning start to her career.

The Juddmonte-owned and bred youngster is by Frankel out of Quail, making her a full-sister to the John and Thady Gosden-trained Covey, the winner of three of his six starts and tried at Group Two and Three level recently.

Well-backed at 9-4 for the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden, Colin Keane’s mount stretched clear when asked to account for 13-8 favourite Grand Job by four and a half lengths.

Lyons said: “She’s very much a work in progress and can be a bit buzzy. We knew she had that in her, but it wasn’t all about today.

“We’ll discuss it with Barry (Mahon, Juddmonte racing manager) and see how she comes out of it, but there will be no rush back and you might not see her until a trial next year.

“All our fillies are ready like that. They have done their work and I just want to see them on the track. If they don’t win first time, they’ll win second time and I put them away.

“You would like what you’ve seen there. Like a lot of Irish maidens you don’t know what you’ve beaten, but she was trained to enjoy the experience and it was all about tomorrow.

“She quickened away and I love how she ran from the winning post to the hill, that was the most impressive part I thought.”

Jordan Johnson’s incredible purple patch with the bat continued on Wednesday but, alas, it might not be enough to save the West Indies U19 from defeat against their Sri Lankan rivals.

Johnson scored an unbeaten 133 to help the West Indies to 251-8 at stumps of the second day of their unofficial Test, a lead of just 51 going into Thursday’s third day.

Sri Lanka resuming from their overnight score of 191-4 after dismissing West Indies for a mere 127, extended their lead of 64 to 199, having amassed a first innings total of 326. The home side owed their commanding score to Maisha Tharupathi, who scored 70 batting in the lower order and Rusanda Gamage, who got 58.

There were also useful contributions from Ravishan da Silva (43) as well as wicketkeeper Sharujan Shanmuganathan (36),  Dinura Kalupahana (33) and an unbeaten 31 from Vihas Thewmika.

Nathan Sealy was the best of the West Indies bowling attack taking 4-82 while Isai Thorne took 2-64 and Tarrique Edward 2-75.

Needing 200 runs to overhaul the deficit, the West Indies started well enough reaching 110-2 with Stephan Pascal being the first to go for 25 when the score was 39.  Johnson joined Steve Wedderburn at the crease and together they took the score to 111 before Wedderburn lost his wicket for 37.

From there the West Indies lost wickets at regular intervals with Johnson providing the glue that kept the innings from falling completely apart against the bowling of Vihas Thewmika (3-55), Tharupathi (2-44) and Kaveesha Piyumal (2-55).

When play resumes on Thursday, Johnson will be hoping to significantly add to his 133 that so far includes 16 fours and a six while hoping that Tamarie Redwood, who has yet to score, can stay with him long enough to give the West Indies a fighting chance to extend the game into Friday.’

Scores: West Indies 127 (Johnson 52) and 251-8 (Johnson 133*) vs Sri Lanka 326 (Maisha Tharupathi 70, Rusanda Gamage 58)

 

 

Clive Cox was left beaming with pride after Get Ahead came agonisingly near to breaking her Group One duck at the Curragh on Sunday – and is now keeping a close eye on the weather with a trip to Paris a possibility for his progressive filly.

The daughter of Showcasing has always been a consistent performer for the Beechdown Stables handler and owners Hot To Trot Racing but has excelled this season in claiming the Listed Cecil Frail Stakes earlier in the campaign before going close in a Chantilly Group Two in her next start.

Further respectable efforts have followed, including when tasting Group One action for the first time in the Nunthorpe, but she took her form to the next level when beaten half a length by Ken Condon’s Moss Tucker in the Flying Five Stakes.

The unfancied 22-1 shot looked to have done enough to secure the big-race shock before being passed late in the day, but having displayed she is still progressing, Cox is now crossing his fingers that conditions remain dry at ParisLongchamp over the next few weeks so Get Ahead can take her chance in the Prix de l’Abbaye on October 1.

“It was a fantastic run and I was so proud of her,” he said.

“I was very concerned when the storms blew through just before. But she got into a nice rhythm and finished off really strong and for a moment I thought we had it in the bag before the winner came by us close home, it was a really exciting run.

“She’s a wonderful filly and has just strengthened and continued progressing. We always had belief she would come good at the best level and she put in a top-class performance.

“I’m pleased that she has come home fine from the race and the journey. She does have an entry in the Abbaye. We have always felt she is better on better ground than soft ground, but on Sunday we probably witnessed that good to soft ground is not too bad.

“The Abbaye is a possibility, if it was too soft then that would be out of her bounds, but who knows, with the weather we have been getting recently we hope it might just remain in her favour all being well. We’re in the lap of the gods and it is interesting, but you do get a dry Arc weekend occasionally.”

Another Abbaye possible for Cox is his Beverley Bullet scorer Kerdos, who has delighted connections with his progress this term.

He has a plethora of options including this Sunday’s Betfred Scarbrough Stakes at Doncaster and the Dubai International Airport World Trophy Stakes at Newbury on September 23.

“He only ran last weekend, so we are giving Doncaster consideration, but he does have a Listed penalty now,” said Cox.

“He also has an entry in the Abbaye and we have a Group Three at Newbury to consider on Dubai Duty Free day.

“We will just feel our way forwards with him having only run last week, but I was thrilled with how he equipped himself at Beverley and he has come out of the race really well.”

Sumo Sam bids to follow up her runaway success at the Qatar Goodwood Festival in the Betfred Park Hill Fillies’ Stakes at Doncaster on Thursday.

Paul and Oliver Cole’s filly was a widely unconsidered 25-1 shot for the Group Two Lillie Langtry Stakes, having been beaten in her first five outings of the season, but devoured the testing conditions on her way to an eight-and-a-half-length victory.

With the ground set to be on the easy side once more, Oliver Cole is hopeful of another bold showing in the ‘fillies’ St Leger’ on Town Moor.

He said: “She’s in good form, obviously she needs a bit of cut in the ground but it’s looking like she’ll get that and she’s pretty fresh after her last race at Goodwood. We’re looking forward to it.

“We were definitely expecting her to run better on that ground (at Goodwood), she is a very good filly and all being well she’ll go to the Prix Royallieu after this. The more rain the better for her.”

Sumo Sam’s rivals include Aidan O’Brien’s Irish raider Boogie Woogie, David Simcock’s Ching Shih, who was last seen chasing home St Leger candidate Arrest in the Geoffrey Freer at Newbury, and the William Haggas-trained pair of Golden Lyra and Crack Of Light.

Assessing the chance of his duo, Haggas told Sky Sports Racing: “Crack Of Light has basically been running in France this year and has won a Listed race and is Group Two placed and Group Three placed.

“She’ll run a good race. It’s her first time at a mile and six and I’m not so sure about that, and Mr Oppenheimer (owner) isn’t either, but we came to the conclusion that we’ve got little to lose by trying and quite a bit to gain.

“Tom (Marquand) has plumped for Golden Lyra, who was useful last year at the backend on soft ground. She should relish the step up in trip and she ran a much better race in France last time, her best race for a year, staying on all the way to the line.

“I think she’ll run a good race Golden Lyra, especially now the rain has come. I think it was the rain that swayed Tom to go her way.”

Boogie Woogie will be ridden by Ryan Moore, who told Betfair: “This is another difficult race to call, but Boogie Woogie had good form in deep ground earlier in the season, including in Group One company, and hopefully you will see a sharper, better filly than you did at Cork off a break last time.

“This longer trip is well worth a go, and she has the form to figure prominently if she stays.”

John and Thady Gosden also fire a twin assault, with One Evening and Lmay both declared, while Night Sparkle is stepped up in class on her first start for Andrew Balding after winning her last four races for Michael O’Callaghan.

Jamaica...2
Ade (51st OG), Reid (81st)
 
Haiti...2
Louicius(12th, 15th)
 
Jamaica's senior Reggae Boyz maintained their positive start to the Concacaf Nations League, but did so the hard way, as they had to come from behind to secure a 2-2 stalemate with Haiti at the National Stadium on Tuesday. 
 
A 51st-minute own-goal by Ricardo Ade and Bobby Reid's 81st-minute penalty, rescued a point for the Reggae Boyz, after Don Louicius's first half brace in the 12th and 15th minutes.
 
With the point, the Jamaicans remain in pole position to complete a top two finish in Group B of League A, as they sit on four points, same as Cuba, who edged Suriname 1-0 in their contest. Haiti inched up to two points in third followed Grenada and Suriname on one point each, but that was expected to change at the end of the game day, as Honduras were leading Grenada 1-0 in the late group fixture.
 
Following their win against Honduras last week, Heimir Hallgrimsson's side would have been confident of securing another three points and they started more purposefully which all but signalled their intent.
 
They fired a warning shot in the second minute through Kasey Palmer, whose left-footed shot was parried by Jhony Placide who got down well to his right in goal for Haiti. The resulting corner presented another opportunity, but Shemar Nicholson steered his header wide of the target.
 
However, the Jamaicans had the wind knock from them as it was the Haitians that broke the deadlock against the run of play, courtesy of Louicius with his first senior goal. The player sporting the number 11 jersey, shook a challenge from Damion Lowe and later fired past Andre Blake. 
 
Before the Boyz could recover, they found themselves further behind when Mondy Prunier orchestrated a counterattack and played a pass on a platter for Louicius to capitalise on some lacklustre defending by the Jamaicans as he fired home beating Blake all ends up.
 
Jamaicans continued to press and created a few openings from which they should have at least pulled on back, but faulty shooting and a lack of composure proved their undoing.
 
The best of those chances came on the stroke of half-time when Nicholson found himself in on goal but drove his right-footer wide of the target, as Haiti remained 2-0 up at the break.
 
With the lead in their favour, the Haitians came out spiritedly on the resumption and Louicius tested Blake with a left-footed strike from a distance, but the custodian got down well to gather.
 
The Jamaicans needing a saviour  gradually came to life in attack and like it was in their opening contest against Honduras, Gray came to their rescue, albeit fortuitously, as his soft effort along the ground was deflected in by Ade.
 
Nicholson should have pulled the Boyz level in the 54th from a break. However, he was hesitant in getting the shot off from close range and was later dispossessed by a recovering defender.
 
Though on the backfoot, the Haitians didn't just merely absorb pressure, they continued the probe to add to their tally and almost did so on the hour mark when Prunier again played provider, this time to Danley Jean, whose firm eft-footer from just inside the 18-yard box, rattled the crossbar.
 
The Jamaicans responded two minutes later and almost pulled level when Kasey Palmer's shot from the top of the 18-yard box and was just kept out by Placide.
 
It was an intriguing end-to-end battle at that point as Haiti went on the counter a minute later, Prunier dismissed his marker, but couldn't get beyond Blake, who left his line well in a one-on-one situation. 
 
After applying consistent pressure coupled with a few timely substitutions, the Jamaicans eventually pulled level when Reid fired home from the penalty spot, after one of those substitutes, Romario Williams's shit was handled inside the danger area.
 
The Jamaicans thought they had all three points in the bag in the dying moments of the contest when Reid's well-struck shot from a distance had goal written all over it, but for a well-timed dive from Placide, who ensured Gabriel Pellegrino's team held on for a share of the spoils.
 
The teams will now head into the break before the return leg fixtures in October. 
 
Teams: Jamaica -Andre Blake, Damion Lowe (Dishon Bernard 74th), Amari'i Bell, Ethan Pinnock, Javain Brown, Leon Bailey, Bobby Reid, Demarai Gray (Dujuan Richards 74th), Joel Latibeaudiere (Daniel Johnson 74th), Kasey Palmer, Shemar Nicholson (Romario Williams 79th)
 
Subs not used: Jahmali Waite, Coniah Boyce-Clarke, Kevon Lambert, Demario Phillips, Adrian Mariappa, Renaldo Cephas, Gregory Leigh, Tayvon Gray, Kevon Lambert
 
Booked: Bernard (83rd), Johnson (90+3)
 
Haiti -Jhony Placide, Ricardo Ade, Djimy-Alexis, Garven-Michee Metusala, Alex Christian, Jeppe Friborg, Danley Jean (Francois Dulysse 87th), Carl Sainte, Don Louicius (Shaynder Borgelain 70th), Steven Seance, Mondy Prunier
 
Subs not used: Alexandre Pierre, Garrisone Innocent, Derrick Etienne Jr, Jayro Jean
 
Booked: Sainte (30th), Djimy-Alexis (63rd, 90th(red), Jean (80th), Ade (80th)
 
Referee: Cesar Ramos (MEX)
Assistant referees: Alberto Morin (MEX); Marco Bisguerra (MEX)
Fourth official: Enrique Santander (MEX)
Match Commissary: Egbert Lacle (ARU)

Hydel High confirmed their status as serious title contenders for this season’s ISSA/Digicel Manning Cup title with a stunning 4-0 win over 16-time winners Kingston College at Royal Lakes on Tuesday.

Elsewhere in Zone A, Calabar opened their campaign with a 1-0 win over Penwood.

In Zone B, Kingston Technical secured a 3-1 win over Cumberland while Spanish Town and Meadowbrook played out a 2-2 draw at the Spanish Town Prison Oval.

STATHS were the second biggest winners on the day with a 6-0 drubbing of Bridgeport in Zone D action. Also in Zone D, Excelsior beat Clan Carthy 3-0 while Tarrant secured a 2-1 win over Cedar Grove.

Edith Dalton James were the day’s biggest winners with a 7-0 score line over St. Mary’s College while St. Catherine High beat Innswood 3-0 in Zone E action.

In Zone G, Wolmer’s Boys beat Donald Quarrie 6-1.

Hosts Sri Lanka ended day one of the second Youth Test against West Indies U19s with a 64-run first innings lead at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on Tuesday.

Sri Lanka first dismissed the young West Indians for 127 in 36.4 overs after the tourists won the toss and chose to bat.

Left-hander Jordan Johnson followed up his 149 in the last game with a 49-ball 52 including six fours and two sixes while openers Stephan Pascal and Steven Wedderburn hit 28 and 24, respectively.

Vihas Thewmika led the way with the ball for Sri Lanka with 5-43 from 11.4 overs while Malsha Tharupathi took 3-16 from five overs.

Sri Lanka then reached 191-4 off 51 overs at stumps.

Rusanda Gamage was the top scorer with 58 from 52 balls including 10 fours while Ravishan de Silva hit 43 and Pulindu Perera made 41.

Isai Thorne, Deshawn James and Nathan Sealy took the wickets.

Grosvenor Square looked a name to note in landing the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden at Galway – a race Aidan O’Brien has dominated over the years, including with the likes of Kyprios and Sovereign.

A Galileo half-brother to 2020 Irish Derby winner Santiago, he was made the 6-4 favourite under Killian Hennessy and after being ridden to take control inside the furlong pole he was nicely on top at the line.

Entries for Grosvenor Square include the Futurity Trophy at Doncaster, and a step up in class appears to be on the agenda next time out.

Stable representative Chris Armstrong said: “He is a lovely horse, he is only starting to develop and was just right for starting here. Aidan thought it would be a nice introduction to get him started, but obviously they went steady which wouldn’t suit.

“He is a brother to Santiago and on pedigree and home work he will be a lovely middle-distance horse next year. We’ll step him up into one of the Group races now and everything is building to next year.

“It took Killian a long time to pull him up and he was only doing his best work once he hit the line.”

He added: “We’ve started many of the good horses here including Kyprios, and Navy Seal won here at the last meeting (in August). It is a great introduction for them, especially the middle-distance horses, coming down a hill on sharp bends and then coming back up the hill.

“It brings them along mentally and it is good to get runs under their belts at this time of year.

“Seamus (Heffernan) has three suspensions in a row so is off until the end of this month and with Ryan (Moore) in England, it is nice to get Killian another winner. All the riders are in and working hard and in fairness to Aidan he looks after all of them.”

Nicaragua continued their decent start in Group B of League B in the 2023-24 Concacaf Nations League, with a convincing victory in its home opener, while Dominican Republic were also victorious at home on Monday.

Dominican Republic vs. Montserrat 

Dominican Republic defeated Montserrat 3-0 at the Felix Sanchez Olympic Stadium in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

The hosts took the lead in the third minute after midfielder Jean Lopez forced an own goal from defender Abraham Dorsett.

Edarlyn Reyes nearly scored a wondergoal for the home side but was denied by the top post in the fifth in an attempt from just outside the penalty arc. Immediately after, Montserrat goalkeeper Kynami Nelson made a pivotal save to deny Ronaldo Vasquez on the rebound.

Dominican Republic's goalkeeper Xavier Valdez and defender Michael Sambataro were then crucial to halt a potential equalizer in the 19th by impeding forward Lyle Taylor. 

Dorny Romero doubled the lead to 2-0 in the 25th, thanks to a long through pass from Edison Azcona.

Romero nearly collected his second in the 44th minute but couldn’t connect properly on a long cross from Michael Sambataro as Montserrat were spared prior to halftime.

The Dominican Republic began to pull away in the second half as Romero completed his brace on a breakaway in the 64th following a long assist form Jeremy Baez.

The win lifts the Dominican Republic to second in the group and improves the nation’s record to 1-0-1 in the campaign. Montserrat, also with a 1-0-1 record, slipped to third in the group.

Nicaragua vs. Barbados

Nicaragua won 5-1 against Barbados on a rainy night at the National Football Stadium in Managua, Nicaragua.

Ariagner Smith opened the scoring in the 11th minute, with a header at the near post on a corner kick.

Juan Luis Perez sent fans into a roar with a hit from long range in the 40th to extend the lead for the hosts.

A penalty was awarded to Nicaragua right before the half, as Juan Barrera was taken down inside the box. Jaime Moreno converted the spot kick for the three-goal lead.

Jacob Montes continued the offensive production with the fourth goal of the night in the 69th after Smith was blocked on the attempt, but the ball fell to Montes who drove it into the area for a diagonal strike.

Moreno completed his brace in the 75th on a second chance opportunity inside the box. Brathwaite pushed away a whipped in ball from Josue Quijano, but Moreno was there to clean up the play.

Nicaraguan goalkeeper Miguel Rodriguez was sent off in the 85th for a takedown just outside the box. Down to 10 men, and out of substitutions, it was Moreno who donned the goalkeeper jersey for the final stretch.

Thierry Gale of Barbados converted from the ensuing free kick upon the restart in the 89th, as Moreno nearly got a hand for the save.

Nicaragua retains first place in the group and improves to a 2-0-0 mark. Barbados occupies the last spot in the group and will look to improve from a 0-2-0 start during the October FIFA fixtures.

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