Nimar Bolden’s maiden century has put Wildey in a commanding position against ESA Field Pickwick as they edge closer to an innings victory in Series 5 of the Barbados Cricket Association (BCA) Elite division three-day Championship. On the second day of the match at Wildey, the 21-year-old left-hander scored a brilliant 119 to help Wildey post 300 for six declared, building a massive first-innings lead of 239 runs.

Bolden, who started the day on 36 with Wildey at 112 for one, faced 148 balls and struck eight fours and four sixes. His knock was supported by Demetrius Richards, who made 57, and Carlos Maynard, who contributed 39, helping Wildey pile on the runs before declaring after 56 overs.

Pickwick struggled in their second innings, closing on 112 for seven, still trailing by 127 runs. Opener Craig Holder top-scored with 50 off 98 balls, putting on 58 for the fourth wicket with Shamar Forde (29). However, Jerome Jones with three for nine and Jofra Archer, who took three for 21 to add to his first-innings haul of five for seven, kept Wildey in firm control.

 At Bank Hall, defending champions Empire were battling Fusionz Boutique Spartan, who took a 35-run first-innings lead after being bowled out for 260. West Indies left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican was the standout for Empire, finishing with figures of four for 38. Empire were in trouble at 112 for six but fought back to reach 225 all out, with Shaquille Cumberbatch top-scoring with 59 and Camarie Boyce adding 37. Off-spinner Chaim Holder took four for 70, and pacer Sadrian Ward claimed three for 42. Spartan will resume their second innings on one without loss.

At Beckles Road, Wanderers took a first-innings lead over Bayview Hospital YMPC after responding to YMPC’s 280 for seven declared with 283 for six declared. West Indies Test captain Kraigg Brathwaite led the charge for Wanderers, finishing unbeaten on 78, while opener Shayne Moseley made 76. YMPC were 12 without loss at the close of play in their second innings.

 At Friendship, UWI fought back after IGS Insurance Brokers Yorkshire secured a first-innings lead of 51. Yorkshire were dismissed for 305, with Athelbert Brathwaite scoring 86 and Indal Persaud adding 79. UWI reached 147 for two at stumps, with Amari Goodridge on 77 not out and Shaqkere Parris unbeaten on 57.

 At Lester Vaughan, Superb Bend Gladiola took a 36-run first-innings lead over SigniaGlobe Financial Barbados Youth, posting 253. All-rounder Giovonte Depeiza top-scored with 51. The Barbados Youth team closed on 27 for two in their second innings.

 As the competition continues, Wildey, Spartan, Wanderers, and Gladiola all look set to push for strong finishes in this round of the BCA Elite division three-day Championship.

All Saints United have been crowned as champions of the 2023-24 Antigua and Barbuda Football Association (ABFA) Premier League.

All Saints entered the 18^th and final game on May 5 on 46 points, trailing Grenades FC by two points.

They then defeated Garden Stars 3-1 in their final game while Grenades were held to a 1-1 draw by Ottos Rangers FC who played the ultimate spoiler role as their relegation to the first division was already confirmed before this game.

In the end, both All Saints United and Grenades FC finished with identical records of 16 wins, one draw and one loss from their 18 games.

However, by virtue of a goal difference of 55 compared to 48 by Grenades, All Saints United were crowned champions.

The top five were rounded out by Old Road FC, FC Aston Villa and Hoppers FC with totals of 38 points, 33 points and 29 points, respectively.

The ABFA issued a statement congratulating All Saints on winning the title as well as acknowledging the contributions of all the teams to a successful season.

“The ABFA Executive members extend heartfelt congratulations to the management, coaches, and players of All Saints United for their triumphant victory in clinching the 2023/24 ABFA Premier League trophy. We also commend Grenades FC and Old Road FC for their outstanding performances, securing second and third place respectively, and contributing to the thrilling championship race,” the statement read.

It continued, “this season has been filled with excitement, with the premier division delivering a nail-biting finish. The first and second divisions are also gearing up for an equally thrilling climax. We express gratitude to our dedicated fans whose unwavering support has made this season unforgettable.”

Joining the aforementioned Rangers in next season’s first division will be Sap FC and Empire FC who finished 13^th and 15^th, respectively.

Swetes FC, who finished 12^th, will fight for their spot in next season’s Premier league in the playoffs with Police FC and Attacking Saints who finished third and fourth in the first division.

Potter’s Tigers and Five Islands FC were the top two finishers in the first division and have booked spots in next season’s Premier League.

Individually, Old Road’s Raheem Deterville was crowned as both the season’s golden boot winner and MVP.

All Saints United’s Jayden Martin and Blake Thompson took home prizes for best goalkeeper and best defender while FC Aston Villa’s Tyrik Hughes was named best young player.

The Weymouth Wales are the 2023 Barbados Football Association Premier League champions after a 2-1 win over Empire at the Wildey Astro Turf at the Sir Garfield Sobers Sports Complex in Bridgetown.

Empire took the lead in the 18^th minute through Ormando McLeod before Romario Harewood got Weymouth’s equalizer 20 minutes later.

Five minutes into the second half, Hadan Holligan got Weymouth’s winner.

Weymouth Wales now have an unassailable ten-point lead at the top of the table with three matches remaining.

“Glad to be Premier League champions. The feeling is very, very good,” said Weymouth coach Carlos Jackman after the game.

Nothing is ever straightforward. We didn’t take anything for granted. We knew that we had to come out and play. All the teams came out to beat Wales and the standard of their play raised every time they played us. We were the team to beat,” Jackman added.

Jackman also went into reasons for his team’s success this season.

“Team spirit and camaraderie. The guys also had a willingness to succeed. They want to win and the guys play hard to win,” he said.

As for his plans for this team going forward, Jackman said their focus will now shift to upcoming tournaments.

“The immediate target is to prepare for the knockout cup then, after that, we begin preparations for the Concacaf Club Championship next year which is the biggest challenge for us.”

FC Aston Villa now stand alone at the top of the Antigua & Barbuda Football Association (ABFA) Premier League table thanks to a mammoth 8-0 win over Cedar Grove Blue Jays at the ABFA Technical Centre in Pynter on Friday.

Yasnay Torres ripped through the Blue Jays defense to finish with five goals on the day. His goals came in the 22^nd, 37^th, 38^th, 55^th and 68^th minutes while the other three goals came from Shahoi Dorsett in the 42^nd, Sean Tomlinson in the 53^rd and Joshua Ferdinand in the 91^st.

FC Aston Villa now have 37 points from 15 games to lead the table while the Blue Jays are 14^th with 10 points from 14 games.

Grenades are only a point behind FC Aston Villa after a 3-0 win over Ottos Rangers on Sunday. Vashami Allen opened the scoring for Grenades in the 10^th minute before the points were secured late in the second half through goals from Carl Osbourne in the 83^rd minute and Donovan Baptiste in the 92^nd minute. Ottos Rangers are ninth in the table with 19 points from 13 games.

Sunday’s other games saw Swetes and Greenbay Hoppers play out a 1-1 draw while the game between Pigott’s Bullets and Empire ended in a similar score-line.

In the first game, Rodney Lawrence opened the scoring for the Hoppers in the second minute before Shalon Knight got Swetes’ equalizer in the 65^th minute. The Hoppers are sixth in the table with 22 points from 14 games while Swetes are one spot below them with the same number of points and one more game played.

In the second game, the Bullets took the lead in the 19^th minute through Tyrique Thwaites before Rakeewm Joseph equalized for Empire in the 67^th minute. Empire are tenth in the standings with 18 points from 14 games while Pigott’s Bullets are 13^th with 15 points from their 14 matches.

The first of three games on Saturday saw Old Road get a 5-0 win over Five Islands to move to fourth in the table with 27 points from 15 outings.

Christhian Hereira and Raheem Deterville each got doubles for Old Road while Jonathan Shoy was also on the scoresheet. Hereira’s strikes came in the seventh and 68^th minutes, Deterville’s in the 31^st and 38^th minutes and Shoy scored in the eighth minute. Five Islands are 15^th in the table with three points from 15 games.

Game two on Saturday saw Parham secure a 3-1 win over Willikies. Parham took the lead in the 21^st minute through Malcolm Stewart before doubling their advantage four minutes before the half through Stewart again. James Simon gave Willikies hope of a comeback in the 57^th minute before Kenja Benjamin sealed the points for Parham 10 minutes later.

Parham are now 11^th in the table with 18 points from 15 games while Willikies remain eighth 20 points from 14 games.

Tryum secured a 2-1 win over Liberta Blackhawks in Saturday’s final game. After a goalless first half, Tryum took the lead in the 51^st minute through Chevel Cunningham before Curlon Joseph doubled their lead 20 minutes later. Liberta got a consolation goal in the 86^th minute through Abraham Barry.

Tryum are fifth in the standings with 25 points from 15 games while Liberta Blackhawks remain at the foot of the 16-team table with two points from their 12 games.

The game week will end with third-placed All Saints United taking on 12^th-placed SAP on Monday.

All Saints United and FC Aston Villa are now level on points at the top of the table after week 14 of the Antigua and Barbuda Football Association (ABFA) Premier League held at the ABFA Technical Centre in Pynter.

All Saints United moved to 34 points from 14 matches with a 2-0 win over Willikies on Sunday.

Shafeeq Joseph and Daryan James got the goals for the new league leaders in the 57^th and 77^th minutes, respectively.

FC Aston Villa boast a similar record in 14 matches thanks to a 1-0 win over Piggott’s Bullets on Saturday.

The game seemed to be heading for a draw before Shahoi Dorsett sealed the crucial three points for Villa with a 95^th minute penalty.

Former leaders Grenades are now third, one point behind All Saints and FC Aston Villa after suffering a 1-4 defeat at the hands of Greenbay Hoppers on Sunday.

The Hoppers went 4-0 up in the span of 28 minutes as Rodney Lawrence (26’), Javorn Stevens (31’), a 45^th minute Chad Williams own goal and an Akeem Christian own goal in the 54^th sealed the fate for Grenades.

They got a consolation goal through Barrington Blake in the 56^th minute. The Hoppers are now fifth with 21 points from 13 games.

Old Road is fourth, nine points behind Grenades after a 5-1 win over Swetes in the week’s opening game on Friday.

It was Swetes who took an early lead when Shackwon Simon scored in the 16^th minute.

Stefan Smith equalized for Old Road eight minutes later and the teams went into half-time with no further goals added.

Things changed quickly in the second half as Jaheim Hazelwood gave Old Road the lead six minutes after the restart before a Raheem Deterville double in the 61^st and 71^st minutes gave them a 4-1 advantage. Jabarry Chandler put the final nail in the coffin in the 88^th minute. Swetes are sixth in the table with 21 points from 14 games.

Saturday’s other matches saw Empire beat Ottos Rangers 3-0 and Parham secure a 3-1 win over Cedar Grove Blue Jays.

Empire’s goals came from Rakeem Joseph in the seventh minute, Nyque Watkins in the 13^th minute and Shemar Scott in the 45^th minute.

They are now 10^th in the league with 17 points from 13 games while Ottos Rangers are eighth with 19 points from 13 outings.

Parham took the lead J’Twan Brown in the 45^th minute before Malcolm Stewart doubled the lead in the 48^th minute. The Blue Jays got a lifeline in the 50^th minute through a Keon Greene penalty before Stewart got his second of the game in the 81^st minute to secure the win.

With 15 points from 14 games, Parham are now 12^th in the standings while their opponents are 14^th with 10 points from 13 matches.

Sunday’s other game saw Liberta Blackhawks and SAP combine for 12 goals, with the latter securing an 8-4 win.

Shavorn Phillip gave the Blackhawks the lead in the 28^th minute before SAP equalized through Tyrique Tonge in the 30^th. It was 2-1 Liberta a minute later as Louron Anthony scored before SAP equalized once again, this time through Danniel Osbourne in the 42^nd minute.

The only word to adequately describe the second half was ‘goal-fest.’

Fifteen minutes after the resumption, Tonge got his second of the game to give SAP their first lead before Phillip got his second of the game a minute later for Liberta to make it 3-3.

SAP then broke the game open through a Peter Byers double in the 73^rd and 77^th minutes before Tonge got his third and fourth of the game in the 81^st and 87^th minutes to make in 7-3, effectively ending the game.

Malique Martin got Liberta’s fourth goal in the 89^th minute but the scoring was capped off in the 90^th minute when Byers completed his hat-trick, the second for SAP on the day.

SAP are now 11^th in the table with 16 points from 13 games while the Blackhawks, with only two points from 11 games, are last in the standings.

Ninth-placed Tryum and 15^th placed Five Islands will do battle on Monday to close out the game week.