In Your Neighbourhood

Mile Gully, Ricam lead Manchester Major League

Following the completion of the first half of the first round, Mile Gully and Ricam are the respective zone leaders of the Magnum/Captain's Bakery Major League.

Mile Gully's 2-0 win over Greenvale pivoted them to 13 points from five games to head Zone One ahead of defending champions Hillstars, who have 12.

Mile Gully had to fight off relegation in their penultimate match last season. However, their resurgence this season has been remarkable and included the highlight of the competition so far - a 1-0 win over Hillstars in the fourth round. That win spoilt Hillstars' unbeaten record, which dates back to the 2014 season.

Ricam leads Zone Two with 13 points after five matches, which includes four wins and a draw against Alligator Pond. They completed the pre-Christmas round with a 6-0 win over Land Settlement. Christopher Dyer netted a hat-trick, the third time the feat had been achieved since the start of the competition last month. Downs are second with 12 points, having lost to Ricam.

The competition takes a break until Saturday, January 2.

Hillstars, Ricam to contest Manchester KO finals

The first finals of the 2015-16 Manchester FA season will be contested next Tuesday when Hillstars and Ricam meet in the Brumalia Hardware-sponsored Knock-out Cup. Venue will be Brooks Park, starting at 2:45 p.m.

Both teams earned the right following convincing semi-finals performances. Hillstars recorded a 3-1 win over Old England, while defending champions Porus were brushed aside 6-0 by Ricam. That result has since sent Porus in a spin, so much so that they failed to show for their fifth-round Major League fixture against Alligator Pond.

Ricam are in their best form, currently unbeaten and leading Zone Two of the Major League. Hillstars are in second position in another Major League zone, but are still fancied to win the KO finals despite a recent 0-1 upset loss to Mile Gully.

Henriques wins 'Rappa Pam Pam'

Despite being noticeably injured, Mandeville's top shooter, Orville Henriques, held off the challenge of Jamaica Rifle Association's Lennox Moulton to win the Manchester Rifle and Pistol Club's Christmas extravaganza dubbed 'Rappa Pam Pam'.

Henriques was not dominant, but won four of the eight stages to finish on 476 points. Moulton, who earned top-four positions on five stages, ended at 84 per cent with 400 points. Female shooter Sue Ann Henriques, who won the last two stages, was edged into third with 384 points.

The next three positions were separated by four percentage points. Ellsworth Dixon, who won the practice shoot held three days earlier, was fourth, followed by Evon Grant and Owen Campbell.

Clarendon KO to break until December 31

The Noel Arscott-sponsored Clarendon Knock-out football competition will take a break until next Thursday, December 31, when the second round starts.

The first round ended earlier this week, and included home-and-away matches. Jamalco, as well as the parish's Premier League team, Humble Lion, will enter at the quarter-final stage.

In results from the first round, York Town exited Sandy Bay, Bamboo Lane knocked out Kemps Hill, Springfield got rid of Spartan, Rock River made it past newcomers Bulls United from Alston, while Original Hazard took care of Little Brazil of Sheckles.

In the most recent results, newcomers Anderson Drive knocked out Lionel Town 1-0 after the first leg ended 0-0, while Four Parks got the better of Treadlight by a similar margin.

Jamalco top Clarendon FA awards

Jamalco were deemed the best team, taking both the top competition and individual awards at the recent Clarendon Football Association 2015 awards ceremony held at Wembley Excellence Centre.

Jamalco got the top incentive award for being Major League champions, Knock-out champions, in which they triumphed over Premier League team Humble Lion. They were also recognised for narrowly missing the cut to the Premier League. Jamalco secured the top individual awards, including Coach of the Year, which went to Ryan Johnson.

The CFA also recognised its referees. The National award went to Kevin Morrison, while the parish's Performance award went to Doween Tummings. Jason Jackson was handed the best assistant referee.

Clarendon College was adjudged the best schoolboy team, while Lennon got the award for best female team.

Battle on for semi-final spot

Four teams - Pro Santos A, Express All Stars, Progressive Strikers, and Passagefort Strikers - will play off for the fourth and final semi-final spot in the South East St Catherine Netball League.

The play-offs starts on Saturday, January 9, and is over three days. Based on form, Pro Santos A and Express All Stars should be in the two teams that will fight for that one spot.

Meanwhile, Westchester netball team topped the standings with 16 points as the preliminary round comes to a close. Mega Angels, 13 points, occupy second spot. Pro Santos B (12 points) are third. The top three are given automatic berths to the semi-final. In a recent game, Mega Angels dismissed Pro Santos B 24-11.

Free Jamaica Holiday Lacrosse camp

A Jamaica Holiday Lacrosse Camp will take place at St George's College (Emmett Park) in Kingston from Monday, December 28, to Thursday, December 31, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. each day.

This camp is funded and staffed by players and coaches primarily from the United States. Equipment is provided on loan from the Jamaica Lacrosse Association and given to committed campers to keep at the end of the camp. The organisers of the camp said that "the game will be taught in a positive and encouraging environment. Water and light refreshments are provided, along with music, games, prizes, contests, awards, and lots of fun."

There will be high-school and university men's and women's divisions at this camp, as well as a new youth boy's division (Primary School boys ages 8-13).

Mid-season final for January 3

The York Pharmacy-sponsored Portmore Division Two mid-season final has been pushed back to Sunday, January 3, 2016. The match was originally scheduled for Sunday, December 27. The match, which features Cedar Grove and Braeton United, will take place at the Cedar Grove playing field starting at 3 p.m. Meanwhile, both Cedar Grove and Braeton United were beaten in recent matches. Cedar Grove suffered a shock 2-0 loss to Cumberland (five points), which won their first match in four tries, while Cedar Grove were losing for the first time. Braeton United remained on six points from three games as they were clipped 1-0 by Edgewater. In another game, Daytona (seven points) spanked Southborough 4-2.