To Peewee and Death! May God grant you rest!

This is dedicated to the memory of two Five Riversians who passed away during the week just concluded: Annerelle "Peewee" Stoute, of Manimore Road and Ulric "Death" Connor, of Eastern Main Road.

Noted Five Rivers crooner, Philmore Johnson, has been asked by Death's family to render this immortal calypso: in dirgeful tribute at his final send-off. Not being able to locate the lyrics anywhere, Philmore sent out an SOS to me. Eventually, I had to transcribe it all from listening to the best recording I had ---the original.

The final rites for Peewee and Death would be conducted almost simultaneously, on Monday 16th November 2009: Peewee's, at Curepe, Death's, at Arouca.

May God grant them and all the departed of Five Rivers and their loved ones, only peace and rest! And may God also grant only mercies to Sparrow for having created this mighty oration which stands head and shoulders with the doleful classics composed in the days of yore.

MEMORIES OF “DEATH”

adapted by Richard Wm. “Johnny” Thomas of Five Rivers, Arouca
from The Calypso “Memories” [© Slinger "The Mighty Sparrow" Francisco]

Why? To facilitate Philmore Johnson’s dirgeful tribute to:
Ulric “Death’ Connor
on
Monday 16th November, 2009.



Every year, somebody dear,
Gives us cause to shed a tear,
And mourn,
For they are gone.
Now all that's left is a faint memory,
Based on the theme of a strange melody,
Still, we must think of them and recall their image with pride,
Telling people from deep inside,
This is dedicated to those who died.

Hector Sealy, I'll always remember,
Cecil Phillip too,
Stalwarts in truth.
Silently!
Quietly!
Those two buddies did slip away from us.
Boots and Cecil! Wherever you are comperes,
Just for you, here I am singing this song, you hear?

Each and everyone I know,
Someday will have to go,
Right back, from where they came!
But, good or bad, we must try all the same,
Not to be sad, or heap scorn on their name!
And every girl and boy who are sharing my sympathies,
I must tell you this song is just
Dedicated to memories!

Annerelle Stoute, I'll always remember,
Doing her thing with no fuss,
Like all of us.
Silently!
Quietly!
Last week she too slip away from us.
Peewee, baby! Wherever you are my dear,
Just for you, I’m also singing this song, you hear?

How many have known a friend,
Enjoying life, down to the end,
Who will never, again?
And though we lay,
Now and then thoughts will stray
To that dear one who has long passed away.
So! This coming season, while you feting up,
Take a break!
Try and take in this song I make,
To remember for old times sake!

Nattie Crichlow, I'll always remember,
Fighting for the sufferer,
Without quarter.
Silently!
Quietly!
Nattie took his leave of us.
Nattie Crichlow! Wherever you are compere,
Just for you, I’m also singing this song, you hear?

Simple words cannot define
The memories that fills the mind
Of those who are left behind.
To some of us, it's a kin, or a friend.
Or a great love that was shared to the end.
So! It is our duty, I mean this on everyone,
See that their memories live on,
Even though they are dead and gone!

Ulric Connor, I'll always remember,
Strutting his stuff without a fuss,
Always focused.
Silently!
Quietly!
Sometimes you eh even know he pass.
Ulric Connor! As we bid you goodbye, compere,

Just know that we would forever love you, you hear?

**************************

MEMORIES

(The Original Lyrics)

by
Slinger "The Mighty Sparrow" Francisco.
as transcribed by
Richard Wm. Thomas of Five Rivers, Arouca, from the online version at:
http://hypem.com/track/775362/The+Mighty+Sparrow+-+Memories

Every year, somebody dear,
Give us cause to shed a tear,
And mourn,
For they are gone.
Now all that's left is a faint memory,
Based on the theme of a strange melody,
Still, we must think of them and recall their image with pride,
Telling people from deep inside,
This is dedicated to those who died.

Bert Inniss, I'll always remember,
Jumping when a steelband pass,
Playing mas'.
Sugary!
Peppery!
Bert was never ever one for class.
Bertram Innis! Wherever you are compere,
Just for you, I came out with real fire, this year!

Each and everyone I know,
Someday will have to go,
Right back, from where they came!
But, good or bad, we must try all the same,
Not to be sad, or heap scorn on their name!
And every girl and boy who are sharing my sympathies,
I must tell you this song is just
Dedicated to memories!

George Bailey, I'll always remember,
Jumping when dem big band pass,
Playing mas'.
Sugary!
Peppery!
George was never ever one for class.
George Bailey! Wherever you are compere,
Just for you, I came out with real fire, this year!

How many have known a friend,
Playing mas' down to the end,
Who will never, again?
And though we lay,
Now and then thoughts will stray
To that dear one who has long passed away.
So! For this Carnaval, while you jumping up,
Take a break!
Try and take in this song I make,
To remember for old times sake!

Jack Braffit, I'll always remember,
Jumping when dem big band pass,
Playing mas'.
Sugary!
Peppery!
Jack was never ever one for class.
Jack Braffitt! Wherever you are compere,
Just for you, I came out with real fire, this year!

Simple words cannot define
The memories that fills the mind
Of those who are left behind.
To some of us, it's a kin, or a friend.
Or a great love that was shared to the end.
So! It is our duty, I mean this on everyone,
See that their memories live on,
Even though they are dead and gone!

Al Burtonoir, I'll always remember,
Jumping when dem big band pass,
Playing big mas'.
Sugary!
Peppery!
Dear Albert! Wherever you are compere,
Just for you, I came out with real fire, this year!

Earthquake @ 10pm, Sat. Sept 5, 2009.

Did anyone, sides me, feel the earthquake that hit T&T at 10pm Sat Sept 5, 2009. I lasted about 2 seconds and was mild. I was in Petit Valley at the time. Done reported it to the earthquake trackers ppl @ http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/dyfi/

Feel free to comment!

Unless otherwise declared, ALL rights to postings in this blog are reserved by me, Richard Wm. Thomas, Five Rivers, Arouca, Trinidad and Tobago.

Roger Bonair-Agard, Poet.

Photo by Jermaine Cruickshank.

Roger Bonair-Agard is not the struggling poet, but he accepts that he may never become a millionaire doing what he does for a living. Yet he continues to write his poetry, essays and short stories as well as travel across the United States doing performances at poetry festivals...

Bonair-Agard is an Arouca boy having grown up there and attended the community's R.C. primary school before going on to QRC where he attained his A'Levels in 1986, one year before leaving for the United States where he now shares his time between Brooklyn and Chicago. Bonair-Agard attended Hunter University and was preparing to move on to pursue studies in law when a night at a poetry recital changed everything...

Read the full story in the Trinidad and Tobago Express.

Feel free to comment!

Unless otherwise declared, ALL rights to postings in this blog are reserved by me, Richard Wm. Thomas, Five Rivers, Arouca, Trinidad and Tobago.

It's Jack's jacket! Let him have it, then!

Regarding the love-him-or-hate-him man from Five Rivers, Arouca, named Austin Jack Warner:

No one can deny that, where the businesses of sports and Carnival is concerned, he has attained heights which not a single other Caribbean person has. Nor that for him to have attained and sustained such heights, it required, on his part for him to exhibit the qualities for which Aroucans are world famous:-

• guts: like Le Compte de Lopinot, who wended his way through the dense jungle to found the place that now bears his name;
• brains: like Professor Dr. Ken Julien, who was the first Ph.D. graduate in electrical energy systems from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada in 1962;
• skill: like trade unionist Nathaniel Crichlow showed time and time again in seeking his union members' interests;
• deep and unwavering determination: like Lord Learie Constantine, who began his studies to become a lawyer at the age of forty-five, after his cricketing career ended;
• belief in the impossible: like Henry Sylvester Williams, who is described as the True Father of Pan-Africanism;
• foresight: like George Padmore, whose life may be summed up as being entirely devoted to creating a world unburdened from the arrogance and tribulation of empires and dedicated to equality, solidarity and hope, thus to connect the Caribbean, Africa, Europe, North America and Asia as one.

Plus, the Obama-like ability to flick the messy stuff off the shoulders ---without batting an eye-- then move on with the task at hand.

Thus, anyone who harbours any doubt that any Aroucan, before, during or after delving into any different venture, would craft, embrace and or employ whimsical or half-hearted/baked strategies, tactics or notions geared towards its success, at best may only be described as suffering from some delusion, however triggered.

History, being what it is, will confirm the accuracy of the above prognosis. Caveat lector!

Mih old school: Primary School Cricket Champs, again!

Mih old school again: Primary Schools Cricket Champs, 2009!! Well done lads and yall did it without Brian Christmas. Well done! Ah beaming with pride!

"...Before a packed auditorium which included president of the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB) Deryck Murray and representatives from the Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs and the Ministry of Education, the best of the best of the nation's young athletes crossed the stage to collect awards, including medals, trophies and other prizes for their achievements on the cricket field during 2009.

St Pius RC Primary School topped their peers once again to be crowned Super League champions..."

(See: http://www.trinidadexpress.com/index.pl/article_sports?id=161501684)

Farewell Miss Elsa Ferguson! Farewell!

Please go to >> mangochatnee.com <<

Except for their excellent footprints.

Clear it is that Trinidad and Tobago is become a land where the people have lost the will the fight for their rights, preferring instead to kill at will when wronged.

But, also, sad it is to witness such a degeneration. Especially on considering the outstanding contribution to the upliftment of the downtrodden that Trinbagonian sons and daughters -in particular, those who came out of Arouca- have made, over the course of history.

For instance, that the liberation of the Caribbean and Africa from Euro-colonial rule owes a lot to the likes of Henry Sylvester Williams, George Padmore and, although not native, Learie Nicholas Constantine, Aroucans all, who, by dint of their intellectual prowess and brilliant organizational skills, led the intellectual and on-the-ground assaults to render the West Indies and black Africa -as Padmore described in his 1955 book Pan Africanism or Communism:

"...mentally-free from the dictation of Europeans...".

And sad, too, to think that, without doubt, so it is because the current generation of Aroucans has not been exposed to knowledge of such history through the inadequacies and irrelevancies of an education system that's largely-designed to churn out stinkers rather than thinkers.

Thus, in an effort to right that wrong -and because it takes a village to raise a child- this!

Henry Sylvester Williams was born in Arouca, Trinidad, on February 15th 1869. He left, as a young man in his early twenties, for North America to further his academic studies.

Shifting over to Britain in 1896, he met and linked up with another brilliant Trinbagonian champion of the people, Mzumbo Lazare. In 1897, in London, the duo established The African Association -later renamed "The Pan-African Association"- as the vehicle to transform the appalling lot of Africans by challenging paternalism, racism and imperialism.

These words of his best depict what drove Williams:

"the time has come when the voice of Black men should be heard independently in their own affairs".

Not long after that, in 1900, he co-ordinated the first ever Pan-African Conference held in England -London.

Henry Sylvester Williams

The hosting of the conference was a natural consequence of the Association's previously-stated aim of becoming the vehicle to transform the appalling lot of Africans:

"...to promote and protect the interests of all subjects claiming African descent, wholly or in part, in British colonies and other places especially Africa, by circulating accurate information on all subjects affecting their rights and privileges as subjects of the British Empire, by direct appeals to the Imperial and local Governments..." (Wikipedia: Henry Sylvester Williams "Historical Notes")

From the same source one learns that though W. E. B. Du Bois participated in the 1900 conference and later came to be known as the Father of Modern Pan-Africanism -his famous Address to The Nations with its prophetic statement "the problem of the 20th century is the problem of the colour line" is regarded as the defining statement of the conference- were it not for the Williams-organized conference and Pan-African Association, Du Bois would never have been exposed to the right influences that spurred him on to his share of greatness.

A much-overlooked notable is that Henry Sylvester Williams, Trinbagonian, is also the first black man admitted to practice law in South Africa. (Wikipedia: Henry Sylvester Williams "Pan African Development")

Then there's George Padmore -born: Malcolm Nurse- who -during the late 1920s and 30s- headed the USSR-based Negro Bureau of the Communist Trade Union International (NBCTUI). Padmore used the NBCTUI as the honeyed glue to bring and to gel Caribbean and Africa vast but disperse anti-colonial sentiment together as one.

George Padmore

Such was Padmore's impact, that he was described as

"the mentor and influential theoretician to an entire generation of Black leadership, including Jomo Kenyatta of Kenya and the charismatic Pan-Africanist Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana". (Race and History: "Remembering George Padmore" by Manning Marable" )

And, as C. L. R. James insisted:

"It is impossible to understand the development of the revolution in the Gold Coast that brought Ghana, unless you realized from the start, the man behind it was (george) Padmore." (Ibid.)

The George Padmore Institute briefly biographs him as a man whose:

"...vision was of a world unburdened from the arrogance and tribulation of empires and dedicated to equality, solidarity and hope. ...the traditions which shaped his life: independent, radical vision and outlook connecting the Caribbean, Africa, Europe, North America and Asia." (http://www.georgepadmoreinstitute.org/)

Yes, he was born in Petit Valley, but, for a part of his youth he lived in Arouca where, for a long while, his father, Lebrun, was the District Warden Officer. Hence, to this day, Arouca proudly claims Learie Nicholas Constantine as her own and it's there that his mortal remains, till time ends, rest.

Learie Constantine

He entered this world on September 21st 1901 and most call cricket to mind when his name's mentioned. But Learie Constantine's contribution went beyond the boundary. His dad was a gifted cricketer, in fact, played for the first West Indies teams that went on overseas tours -England: 1900 and 1906- and scored the first century by a West Indian batsman in England: did it, too, at Lord's, in 1900, a fine 113! Natural then for Learie to follow, to eclipse.

And eclipse he did, for, not only did he play in more Test Matches than he did, but he was invited to play professional cricket, with Lancashire, whilst on tour of England in 1928. And accepted.

Trinidad and Tobago's National Library archives records that:

It was cricket which took him to Nelson, Lancashire, in 1929 as a professional player and he lived there for the next 20 years with his wife, Norma and daughter, Gloria. (The) family encountered tremendous hostility and mistrust which (were) only slowly overcome and, despite his fame and popularity on the cricket field, Constantine knew very well the discrimination and prejudice faced by black people in the Mother Country.

He became involved in the League of Coloured Peoples, a body active in the 1930s-1940s fighting discrimination in Britain and later became its President.

...Constantine was famous in Britain, he was honoured by the King (MBE 1946) - but that didn't protect him or his family from discrimination or slights on the street. In the 1940s he sued a famous London hotel for denying his family accommodation (it said US servicemen there would object!). This was a high-profile case, which he won. He felt he had an obligation to fight these causes on behalf of less privileged black people. This is why he wrote his book, "Colour Bar" (1954), an insider's view of race relations in Britain from the black perspective.

...It's a tribute to Constantine's powers of hard work, determination and self discipline that - as a man who never went to secondary School at home in Trinidad -he educated himself at home in Nelson, then began legal studies- a struggle to pass all the law examinations which took him eight years. Despite the frustrations and the occasional failures, he never gave up, and was called to the Bar in 1954, aged 53.

...He returned home to Trinidad...in 1955 - a dynamic political moment. He got involved in local politics and fought the Tunapuna seat in the 1956 elections as the People's National Movement (PNM) candidate. He won -narrowly, by less than 200 votes, from the PDP- and became Minister of Communications, Works and Public Utilities... (1956-61).

...But Constantine was not a natural politician. He disliked the bitterness of party politics and resented Opposition attacks in the Legislative Council...

...In 1961 (he was) appointed Trinidad and Tobago's first High Commissioner to Britain...an obvious choice, but not an altogether happy experience for him. He was so famous in Britain that everything he did or said received heavy media attention...

In 1963 he intervened in an incident where West Indians were denied jobs as bus conductors in Bristol. His public utterances on the issue were deemed by some to be undiplomatic. ...Prime Minister Eric Williams objected, partly because the West Indians in Bristol were Jamaicans and, so, not Constantine's responsibility. Williams felt Constantine had exceeded his brief and attempted to do what he did so well: put Constantine in the doghouse. Constantine promptly resigned.

(At the age of 63, after his resignation), early in 1964, Constantine embarked on legal practice in London...and got involved in a wide array of public causes, usually blazing a trail for blacks in Britain.

• He was a member of Britain's Race Relations Board from its inception and made important contributions to it.
• In 1967, he was appointed the first black Rector of St. Andrews University (where his daughter went).
• In 1968, the first black Governor of the BBC. (He continued to do free-lance broadcasting for the BBC, which he had started in the 1930s).
• And in 1969 he became the first peer of African descent, as Baron Constantine of Nelson and Maraval; his introduction to the House of Lords was a great occasion. (http://www.nalis.gov.tt/Biography/LearieConstantinebyBridgetBrereton.htm)
  

Sadly, by 1969 Constantine was already in poor health, wracked by lung cancer. He died in July 1971 and was given a hero's funeral, in Trinidad, out to which all of Arouca, in sorrow, turned.

Much more can be said, but time does not now permit. Suffice it, though, to be said that the hope is this relating, again, in brief, of these odysseys shall capture the attention of the current generation. And excite, of them, those who are on wasteful paths, to divert after observing the lives of these three noble Aroucans who are no longer visible in this sphere. Except for their excellent footprints.

Only a lightning-like Bolt could better them!

Well done Marc! Well done Richard! A silver medal to Richard Thompson in the men's 100m final today, in Beijing. But, Usain Bolt!!! Wow! New world record of 9:69 seconds!!!???? Wow!!! Usain's da bomb!! Imagine! The last-placed runner came in at 10:03 seconds!! Wow!
Full results >> here <<

Marc on fire!

Trinidad and Tobago track star Marc Burns sounded a stern Olympic warning yesterday, diving under ten seconds for the second time in his career to seize silver in the men's 100 metres dash, at the Aviva London Grand Prix, in England. In spite of a 0.5 metres per second headwind, Burns stopped the clock at 9.97 seconds, finishing strong to grab second spot, behind Jamaica's Asafa Powell (9.94). Another Jamaican, Michael Frater (10.00), copped third spot... Burns has been in fine form this season, and is rounding into his best form ahead of the August 8-24 Olympic Games in Beijing, China. Last month, the 25-year-old sprinter produced a 10.01 seconds run to strike gold at the Sagicor National Open Track and Field Championships. And twice last week, he was victorious in Europe. At the Vardinoyiannia meet, in Rethymno, Greece, Blazing Burns was the class of the "A" field, winning in 10.03 seconds. And then, at the Golden Gala Golden League meet in Rome, Italy, he won in 10.14. But none of those performances could match yesterday's impressive dash. Drawn way out in lane eight, fast-finishing Burns stormed to the line in a fast 9.97 seconds, just one-hundredth of a second outside his 9.96 personal best. If he can overcome the problems he has been having with his start, the two-time World Championship 100m finalist could be a serious contender for century honours at Beijing 2008. (Kwame Laurence: Trinidad Express: July 26, 2008)

Marc Burns again!

VICTORIOUS: Marc Burns

Marc Burns produced a solid performance at the Vardinoyiannia meet, in Rethymno, Greece, yesterday, stopping the clock at 10.03 seconds to triumph in the men's 100 metres "A" race. The Trinidad and Tobago track star dominated his rivals, finishing well ahead of second-placed Frenchman Ronald Pognon (10.13) and third-placed American Mark Jelks (10.19). According to reports coming out of Greece, Burns was slow out of the blocks but stormed back to seize control of the race, building a comfortable lead and then shutting down before the line.

(From the Trinidad & Tobago Express: July 14, 2008)

What????!! No Brian Christmas????!!!

West Indies Under-15 captain Steven Katwaroo will lead the Trinidad and Tobago Schoolboys' Under-16 team in a development tour to Guyana from August 3-11.

The Secondary Schools Cricket League has announced a 16-man training squad which also includes East Zone Under-15 players Duane Cockburn, Anthony Jawahir and Adrian Geeban.

T&T training squad:

Stephen Katwaroo (captain), Shaquille Allick, Duane Cockburn, Mark Deyal, Adrian Geeban, Anthony Jawahir, Kieron Joseph, Emmanuel Lett, Kern Matheson, Idress Mohammed, Dillon Pattia, Dwight Pope, Mitra Ramroop, Rajiv Singh, Stephen Sooklal, Elton Walcott.

What???!!!! Without Brian Christmas from St. Pius Boys' R.C. School, Arouca????!!!! Jeez!

BREAKING NEWS! Brian "Lara" Christmas leads his boys to victory!

They did it! They did it! They won the National Primary Schools Cricket League! St Pius Boys' Roman Catholic Primary School of Eastern Main Road, Arouca, are THE Champions!
The match was played last night before a packed Guaracara Park, Pointe-a-Pierre crowd.
Details to follow in later update. Meantime, congrats, boys! Well done! You made Arouca proud, again, like Lord Learie and Jaswick Taylor did
See also>>

We called her "Ma".

The closing pages of the last chapter of her life were blotted by medical complications, which, given her age, surprised not many.

We called her, "Ma", for, to all of us, in keeping with the "village to raise a child" tradition, she was indeed, too, our Ma. Ma passed away at around 10 p.m. last Sunday at the Sangre Grande Public Hospital, Ojoe Road, Sangre Grande. She had suffered a stroke not long after the entire family celebrated Mothers' Day with her, festivities in which she took full part. At death, she was ninety-one years old. She lived a humble life, well-respected in the community of Cane Farm, Five Rivers, Arouca, in the house where she lived with George "Pa" Burns Sr. for many a year, the house, right on the Eastern Main Road, just west of Jamnah's Shop at the Cane Farm Road junction, the front yard shaded by the huge Rose Mango tree. That tree has got to be over one hundred and twenty-five years old, since Ma always would regale that it was a huge, already-bearing tree when she was a little girl. Ma an Pa were Trini to the bone, though she came her from Grenada and he, from Antigua.

The union of Pa George and Myrtle -that was Ma's real name- produced eleven children, viz: Jean, Jenny, Neddy, Mary, Alec, Gladys, Margaret, Bernard, Susan, Billy and Pat, all of whom, except for Neddy and Mary are alive and in good health. Those were her flesh and blood children. So, too, were her grands, all twenty-six of them -that's the number I recall- and her thirty-plus great-grands. As to her "village" children? They numbered in the thousands!

Some of her biological descendants went on to distinguish themselves nationally and internationally. To name but three, may I mention her son, Alec Burns, who played international cricket for Trinidad and Tobago, having been nurtured under Wes Hall back in the 1960s? Alec should have played for the West Indies as well, but then, say what. Alec is now a national coach with the Trinidad and Tobago Ministry of Sports. And grandson, Stern John, top professional footballer in the English Leagues for several years and member of the Soca Warriors? And, another grandson, Marc Burns (Alec's son), track and field superstar? There's a fourth, Billy, known to all as "Cholo", whom the wiser ones swear was the most-gifted sportsman of all the Clan Burns. In his day, Cholo graced many a sporting field throughout Trinidad and Tobago, thrilling all, even opponents, with his skills.

Among the grandchildren, Albert must receive most special mention. He was her doodoo darling, her mammy nice child. We call him "Bullkak". Don't ask me why. Just know that, to Ma, he was she sweetest.

Among her many friends I shall mention Miss Sybil, ever at her side, providing support, a keen ear and sharing in whatever vicissitudes life, as we know life does, sometimes would send in Ma's direction. And Teacher Edna (Roach), who, not that long ago, departed from our company, for the Higher Realm.

Funerary arrangements for Ma Myrtle Burns are yet being made. It is planned that she will be given her final send-off on Tuesday next, June 17th 2008, which would allow enough time for the multitude living abroad to return, on time, to pay their final respects by praying for her and sprinkling graveyard dust over her coffin as it's lowered into the all-consuming Earth that we call home.

Ma! Now that you're gone, Cane Farm, Five Rivers, Arouca, would not ever, again, be the same. As you leave, let me, on behalf of all of Five Rivers and the Clan Thomas in particular, say, “Thank you, Ma, for all you have done! Go now! Claim your reward that The Most Beneficent One has set aside for you!” And from me, I simply say, “Thanks Ma! You are numbered among those who helped shape me into the person that I am. May The Most Merciful One grant you mercy and peace as you sleep the long sleep!"

St. Pius R. C. Primary School, Arouca, into 2008 Schools Cricket Finals.

From the Trinidad and Tobago Newday, 2008 May 30th.

ST PIUS Boys’ RC Primary School had an easy passage to the final of the Super League Division of the 2008 Atlantic LNG National Primary Schools Cricket League when they registered a comfortable 107-run victory over Guayaguayare RC in the first “Big 4’ semi-final played at Inshan Ali Park, Preysal, on Wednesday.

Star batsman Brian Christmas, 86, partnered with opener Kyle Ramoutar, 72, in a mammoth 148-run stand for the second wicket to propel St Pius to an imposing 211 for seven after the Lopinot Road, Arouca, school won the toss and elected to take first strike.

NEW BRIAN LARA?: St Pius RC all-rounder Brian Christmas

Although Guayaguayare put up a plucky display, they were never up to the chase and were bowled out for 106. Competing in the premier Super League for the first time this year, St Pius will face the winner of the second “Big 4” semi- final.

They will meet in the Grand Final to be played at Guaracara Park, Pointe-a-Pierre on Friday, June 6. Rochard Douglas Presbyterian and Rancho Quemado Government will battle it out for the right to play in the final when they meet at PowerGen Ground in Penal on Monday.

With St Pius losing their first wicket with only18 runs on the board, Christmas joined Ramoutar at the crease, virtually putting the match beyond the reach of the Guayaguayare boys with their excellent partnership.

Batting sensibly, they were seldom troubled by the wayward Guayaguayare bowling, scoring easily on both sides of the wicket. Christmas was within sight of his second century of the season when he was caught on the boundary going for a big hit. His polished innings included eight fours.

The St Pius’ innings lost its momentum following Christmas’ dismissal, with three batsmen going for ducks.

Ramoutar, who almost batted through the innings, hit five boundaries, and was bowled as he advanced down the wicket, looking for quick runs, in the last of the 35 overs. The Guayaguayare bowlers found it difficult to keep a good line, conceding 28 wides as they boosted their opponent’s score with 36 extras. Brian Pegues was the best bowler for the boys from south-east Trinidad, with two for 34.

In their turn at the crease, Guayaguayare were never in the hunt, losing wickets at regular intervals to be bowled out for 104 in 26.3 overs.

All-rounder Pegues and Brandon Ferrier, both scored 17, but they had little support, except from extras which accounted for an embarrassing 41, mainly though wides.

Anthony Jaikaran (three for 14), Keagan Simmons (two for 15) and Kyle Ramoutar (two for 17), did the damage for St Pius. For his excellent all-round performance, Ramoutar was named “Man- of-the-Match”.

Making a substantial contribution to the victory charge was wicketkeeper Ronaldo Ramoutar, who displayed sharp reflexes and anticipation behind the stumps, taking two catches and effecting a brilliant stumping to end Guayaguayare’s innings. Jaikaran, St Pius captain for the match, said he was proud of his teammates, who all practised hard since the competition began. “We knew that if we played to the best of our ability we would come out on top,” he added.

The St Pius team: Anthony Jaikaran (captain), Brian Christmas, Kyle Ramoutar, Keagan Simmons, Aklil Thomas, Christopher Williams, Shaquille McDavis, Ronaldo Ramoutar, Isaiah Mapp, Jamel Hunte, Dwayne Williams and Jeremiah Taylor (12th man).

Coach/teacher, Sylvester Sandiford, said his boys played to plan and did not take anything for granted, although they had beaten Guayaguayare easily in the preliminary round.

“We knew our opponents and we were well prepared. But we haven’t won anything as yet. We still have a final to play,” said a realistic Sandiford.

After the match, Lestyn Arjoon, coach/teacher of Guayaguayare, said: “The boys tried hard but they were always up against it when St Pius put up their big second-wicket partnership. It has been a learning experience for our team. We have some very good players for the future,” he added.

Read also >>More accolades for Brian Christmas<<

New Brian C(hristmas) Lara on the way.

Christmas leads St Pius to fifth victory

Arouca's St Pius RC Primary School chalked up their fifth straight win in the Super League Division of the 2008 Atlantic LNG National Primary Schools Cricket League (NPSCL), when they comprehensively beat Rancho Quemado Government by ten wickets at Inshan Ali Park, Preysal, on Friday.

Playing a postponed fourth round match, St Pius were again steered to victory and a perfect record by stand-out all-rounder Brian Christmas.

MAN OF THE MATCH: St Pius RC all-rounder Brian Christmas

Batting first, Rancho Quemado rattled up a respectable 132 for nine from their allotted 35 overs, with Tarell Cedeno hitting 52 and extras amounting to 42.

Christmas (two for 19) and Isaiah Mapp (two for 35) were the best bowlers for St Pius, while Keagan Simmons, Kyle Ramoutar and Anthony Jaikaran took one wicket each.

St Pius then cruised to their target, scoring 134 without loss in 16.1 overs, with Christmas maintaining his good all-round form, undefeated on 56, and opening partner Ramoutar 50 not out.

Christmas, who has scored a total of 388 runs from five matches with one dismissal, was named Man-of-the-Match for the fifth time.

St Pius, promoted after emerging runners-up in the lower Inter-Schools Boys Division in 2007, lead the Super League standings with five victories, followed by Rochard Douglas Presbyterian, with four wins.

The NPSCL premier division consists of eight teams, each playing the other in a round-robin format and the top four advancing to a Big Four playoff to determine the champions.

In action today, the final of this year's Inter-School Boys Division features a North versus South clash with Tunapuna Presbyterian coming up against Siparia RC at the National Cricket Centre, Balmain, in a 30-over match starting at 10 a.m.

NPSCL president Anthony Ramjit said the standard of cricket at all levels of the league has been exceptional so far.

"We are already seeing new stars emerging from the primary schools and this augurs well for the future development of not only Trinidad and Tobago cricket, but the West Indies as well," he noted.

Read another tidbit about Brian Christmas >> here <<