In Your Neighbourhood

JCF's new executive council

The 43rd annual general meeting and National Blitz Championships of the Jamaica Chess Federation (JCF) took place on Saturday, June 18, at the Norman Manley Law School. A new-look national executive council was elected to oversee the affairs of the sport for the next two years, and defending Blitz champion, FIDE Master Warren Elliott, successfully defended his title.

Re-elected to the JCF governing body were president Ian Wilkinson, vice-presidents National Master (NM) Mark Holness for the County of Cornwall and NM Peter Myers for the County of Middlesex, secretary Michael Ramsay and ordinary members NM Robert Wheeler, International Master Jomo Pitterson, NM Daren Wisdom and Zachary Ramsay. Newly elected council members included vice-president of Surrey NM Malaku Lorne, treasurer Wilfred McKenley and ordinary members Suzanne Chin, Donald Miller, Jackie Smith and Ron Foreman.

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National Blitz Championships

Jamaica's number-one rated player and defending national champion FM Warren Elliott retained his National Blitz Chess Champion title when he finished on five points out of a possible six.

Elliott copped the title after securing victories over National Master Malaku Lorne, 2010 Junior Champion Zachary Ramsay, Ardenne High student Jonathon Orgill and his main rival, National Master Russell Porter. Second place was claimed by Porter who ended on 4.5 points. Porter received the silver medal over Peter Thomas, who also finished on 4.5 points after the tiebreak system was employed.

Ardenne High School student, Jonathon Orgill finished on four points to claim the Junior Blitz Champion title after defeating National Master Peter Myers in a thrilling final-round encounter, while women's FIDE Master (WFM) Deborah Richards also ended on four points to take the National Women's Blitz title.

Blitz chess is a faster more exciting form of the game, where each player is allowed only five minutes to finish the entire game.

Former Speaker of the House of Representatives and new Minister of Justice, Delroy Chuck, made a surprise visit to the event where he spoke of the positive attributes of the game and his personal experiences as player. He encouraged the players to continue to work hard in all aspects of life and wished the new council well.

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Willies cool ladies team in skittles

Wlllies Strikers took over sole leadership of Zone 'B' in the Wray & Nephew-sponsored White Overproof skittles competition on Sunday when they defeated previous leaders Mystix Lady Strikers 6-4 at Mercury Skittles Club, Old Harbour Road.

In other Zone 'B' matches, The Dip from Portmore defeated Olympic Strikers 6-3, while home team Mercury clipped Portmore's Hangover 6-5.

In Zone 'A' matches contested by the elite teams, leaders Starliner crushed Waltham Strikers 8-3 (6-1) at Waltham to move to 14 points from eight matches at the top of the zone - four clear of Eagles who had a rest day; Rowe's Strikers gained a walkover from Dragon whose players turned up late, while the match between reigning Pattex Cup champions Mystix and Eastern All-Stars ended prematurely in dispute after only one game was played.

The competition continues tomorrow with Eagles vs Dragon Eagles in the first match (1 p.m.) at Eastern Skittles Club, Windward Road, home team Eastern vs Rowe's Strikers in the second match at 4 p.m; Mister C vs Olympic at The Dip, Gregory Park at 1 p.m., home team The Dip vs Mercury at 4 p.m., while Willies take on Hangover at Mystic, 78 3/4 Hagley Park Road, followed by Mystix vs Starliner at 4 p.m.

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Chelsea Seals unbeaten in Wray & Nephew pools

Chelsea Seals maintained their unbeaten run in the Corporate Area division of the Wray & Nephew-sponsored all-island pool competition on Sunday, clipping Mystix Knights 3-2 at Chelsea in fourth-round action.

In the rural matches, the Montego Bay Proper 'A' and 'B' teams also remained unbeaten. Montego Bay Proper 'A' clipped home team Palm Court from Negril 3-2, while their 'B' team beat Marshalls 3-2 in an away match in Savanna-la-Mar.

In other rural matches, Gold Room drubbed Club 300 'A' 4-1 in Lucea, Club 300 'B' stopped Montego Bay's Kendon 3-2 in Lucea, The Spot clipped Strawberry 3-2 in Old Harbour, Spot One defeated Triple Diamond 3-2 in May Pen, while Georges crushed Upper Level 5-0 in May Pen to seal Group 'B' in the rural division.

In Corporate Area matches, Invaders beat Gee Wee 3-2 at Gee Wee, South Camp Road; Mystix Imports clipped preseason favourites Hot Shot Strikers 3-2 at Hot Shots, 103 Constant Spring Road; Wray & Nephew beat RJR 3-2 at RJR, while Bombay drubbed Hot Shots Fury 4-1 at Bombay, Hagley Park Plaza.

The competition continues today with 12 matches in town and country, starting at 7:30 p.m. The feature matches are Montego Bay Proper 'A' vs Club 300 'A' at Montego Bay Proper, while Montego Bay Proper 'B' will take on Club 300 'B' at the same venue.

The feature match in the Corporate Area pits Mystix Imports against Chelsea Strikers at Mystix, Hagley Park Road, while Chelsea Seals oppose Gee Wee in an away match at South Camp Road.

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Gleaner win, lose in 3-on-3 basketball

The Gleaner experienced mixed fortunes in the three-on-three Business House basketball competition in their first two matches played earlier this week at the Stadium Courts.

Competing in Division II where they reached the quarter finals last year, The Gleaner defeated the ICD Group 35-28 in their first match on Monday, thanks to a game high 25 points from their captain Omar Wolfe.

However, they found themselves on the receiving end on Thursday, losing by a single point to Continental Baking Company - 24-25.

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Gleaner beat cup holders Petrojam

Thanks to two second-half goals from Fabian Swaby, The Gleaner defeated the previously unbeaten defending Division I champions Petrojam 3-2 in their feature KSAFA/Western Sports Business House football match at Winchester Park, St George's playing field, on Wednesday.

As a result of this win, their third from four matches, The Gleaner remain in serious contention for a shot at the title. The 'newsmen' opened the scoring in the 15th minute through Keiron Brock, but Aphas Bernard equalised for the cup holders 20 minutes later to make it 1-1 at half time.

Petrojam grabbed the lead shortly after the resumption with former Premier League player Bernard again scoring. However, Swaby replied with a brace as the match progressed to seal the issue.

In their previous match last Saturday at Winchester Park, The Gleaner drubbed Norman Manley International Airport 4-1, thanks to a hat-trick from their ace striker Locksley Thompson.

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Wray & Nephew teams ahead in domino

Stable companions Jamaica Brandy and Wray & Nephew Limited lead the respective zones in Division I of the Wray & Nephew-sponsored Business House domino competition after six round of matches.

On Friday, June 24, Jamaica Brandy clipped former champions Berger 148-145 in a home match at Wray & Nephew, Seprod defeated Norman Manley International Airport 139-135, JUTC stopped defending champions SDC 131-122, Jamaica Fire Brigade beat National Baking Company 132-126 at York Park, while Wray & Nephew closed rapidly to surprise former champions The Gleaner 146-142 in an away match at the Gleaner Sports Club. Wray & Nephew thus avenged a first-round defeat by The Gleaner.

In Division II, leaders Kingston Wharves crushed Courts 150-118, Pepsi defeated JPS 148-123, NHT stopped Tastee 144-131, and NCB beat UWI 150-135.

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Portmore hunt fifth win

It would take a brave man to bet against a fifth straight victory for defending champions Portmore United when the league leaders challenge Westchester in the Colin Fagan-sponsored Portmore Under-15 football league at the Passagefort field tomorrow, match time 1 p.m. In the feature match of a double-header at the venue, Portsmouth take on Garveymeade. This game will kick off at 3 p.m. Another double-header is scheduled for the Cumberland field. Cumberland square off against Clifton at 1 p.m., while Wanderers take on Daytona at 3 p.m. In games on Sunday, Portmore clobbered Daytona 7-0, Clifton edged Garveymeade 2-1, Cumberland defeated Portsmouth 3-1, while Wanderers and Westchester drew 1-1.

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Colours, Ken's face off

Colours International will face their arch-rivals and defending champions Ken's Wildflower in the fourth round of the Milo-sponsored Portmore Cricket league tomorrow at the Bridgeport ground. Both teams had contrasting results last week. Colours crushed Cumberland by 215 runs, while Ken's went down to Hamilton Gardens by 12 runs. Both squads have eight points. However, Colours have played only two matches to Ken's three outings. In other games, Portsmouth seek their third victory in as many games as they face newcomers Portmore Pines at the Portsmouth ground. Portsmouth are favoured to cop this game, while Hamilton Gardens oppose Cumberland at the Hamilton Gardens ground. Hamilton Gardens will start as favourites for this contest as they will be high on confidence after beating Ken's in their last match. All games begin at 11 a.m.

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Dr Delford Davis trophy

The long wait is finally over, as four-time champions Power of Faith (PFM) International, formerly Power of Faith Seniors, will collect the coveted Dr Delford Davis trophy for excellence at an awards presentation at the Power of Faith Ministries Multi-purpose Complex this afternoon starting at 4. Teams and individual players will walk away with prizes and awards. PFM International copped the Twenty/20 Church Cricket League with a 57-run victory over newcomer Power and Light Ministries recently. The guest speaker for the function is Charles Newsam, a guidance counsellor at Jamaica College and a certified tennis coach. Newsam played in the W.A. Blair Church Cricket League in the 1990s.

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Wanderers claim U-13 crown

Wanderers FC are still celebrating their first triumph in the Leander Marshall-sponsored Portmore Under-13 Football League after they dismissed a spirited Cumberland FC 5-2 in an exciting final at the Cumberland High School field last Saturday.

Alex Marshall scored two goals, while Gadial Irving, Jomo Robinson and Jevon Hunter netted a goal apiece. It was a breathtaking final as the Edgewater-based Wanderers rushed to a 2-0 lead. Jahmari Ranger came back and struck two quick goals that carried the game level at 2-2. This brought some of the Wanderers players to tears. The victors somehow found their composure and scored three unanswered goals which caused great jubilation between players and fans. Coach of Wanderers, Jason Grant, said that his team should be commended for their fighting spirit. He added: "It was a good performance from the team and they played to instructions, and prevented the opposing team from playing their pattern."

Coach Reid of Cumberland said that he was happy that his team reached the final. "It is a young team and most of the players can play in the league next year. This is a rebuilding process for us and I am pleased that we have two players that have been invited to the parish team."