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St Martin’s draughts champs

Richard Grazette (left) of St Martin and Nathaniel Grosvenor of Intercity battle to a draw in the final match of the night. (Kenmore Bynoe)
WED, JUNE 29, 2011 - 12:03 AM

The three way battle for the 2011 Barbados Draughts Association’s Team Tournament ended in a no challenge for the defending champions St Martin’s after they hosted and roasted Intercity on Sunday night in St Philip.

Intercity needed to stop St Martin’s, 23-17, and then hope that the battle between the Magicians and St George at Taitt Hill Pool Bar would have ended in the Magicians’ favour. Part of the plan fell into place with the Magicians conjuring up a 20-20 draw.

However, with Barbados’ No.3 player Rawle “Schoolboy” Williams in their line, up St Martin’s destroyed Intercity 27-13, to jump from 106 points to 133 and successive national titles.

After the first round the team of Williams, Richard Grazette, Anthony Agard, Darwin Lorde and Cedric Fields had the title wrapped up with only Colin Price staving off defeat as he admirably held Williams to a draw. Price was able to score the lone victory in Round Two with a win over Ian Callender who St Martin’s brought in as a substitute with the title assured.

Even so, Price was the only Intercity player to taste victory, as his teammates Michael Dates, Nathanial Grosvenor, Clotis Pinder and Keith Barrow could not halt St Martin’s victory march. The repeat kings’ 133 points were nine better than St George’s 124 who finished runners up.

Intercity had to settle for third with 115 points, while the Magicians could find no spells to escape the dungeon after they ended on 108 points. (KB)

Source: http://www.gisbarbados.gov.bb/index.php ... cleid=9344

New Draughts Project With Suki King Starts Tomorrow
By Sharon Austin Gill-Moore
Published: October 24, 2012


'Let's see how good you are Sir' seems to be what Draughts Champion Ronald 'Suki' King' is thinking as he challenges Minister of Sports, Stephen Lashley, to a game as Director of Youth, Cleviston Hunte, looks on. (A. Miller/BGIS)

Barbados' draughts champion, Ronald "Suki" King, will soon begin teaching a number of young people from eight communities across the island the rudiments of that sport and they will then compete in an upcoming tournament.
Minister of Sports, Stephen Lashley, made this disclosure today during the launch of the HIV and AIDS Block Draughts Project, which will be facilitated by Mr. King, the Ladies' Champion, Wilma Branch, and the Youth Commissioners and HIV and AIDS Educators of the Youth Development Programme, in the Division of Youth.

Mr. Lashley explained that the new initiative had two phases, the first would start tomorrow, Thursday, October 25, when training sessions for the competitors begin, and the other component would commence on Wednesday, November 7, with the first round of games in the tournament.

Giving the rationale for the project, he said: "Suki is an acclaimed champion, he is sought after all over the world and we are very proud to have him in Barbados. For some time now we have been looking to work out a suitable programme where we can tap into his talent. This programme allows Suki to teach the game of draughts within communities, but it [also] allows him to get involved in our Youth Development Programme (YDP)...

"Suki is being retained by this Ministry [Family, Culture, Sports and Youth] to run the draughts project. There will be a contract under which he will operate and he and his assistant will be remunerated... This project is the culmination of a series of discussions with Suki and ... it is a fitting way of utilising our World Champion and ensuring that the art of draughts is passed on to younger people."

Mr. King has been the World Go As You Please Champion for the past 21 years and the Minister insisted that Government had an obligation to ensure that his knowledge and skills were shared with Barbadians.

He noted that the objective of the project was also to create an environment for young people to become more empowered to make informed decisions in reference to their sexual beliefs, behaviours and action. "In addition, it is expected that while there will be friendly rivalry, healthier relationships will be formed since there will be interaction among the communities," he opined.

Mr. Lashley said the project would be monitored and evaluated throughout the period to ensure its objectives were being achieved. "Once we launch this initial programme and review it, it has the potential to be rolled out across Barbados and be one of the hallmark programmes within the YDP," he suggested.

Mr. King congratulated the Minister and his staff for working "very hard" to develop the project, saying he initially had doubts as to whether it would come to fruition.

"I welcome the opportunity to participate in this project, in terms of teaching the sport... A lot more teams are interested in joining this competition, so it means that this is good for draughts. In addition, we are bidding to host the world qualifier [draughts championship] for next year and we will have about 60 countries coming here, so having a title for 21 years means [Government is] creating a chance where I can rest a bit because we have draughts players who I am going to teach, and if I teach them they will be the best too," he quipped.

He assured those present, including representatives from the communities, that he would "do my best to make sure that you all learn to play the game". He promised that "out of this programme we will have someone representing Barbados at the world qualifier".

Mr. King said he was pleased blocks were a part of the project because those persons who frequented them were begging him to share his skills with them.

Acting Senior Youth Commissioner, Hillary Austin, said most of the learning would come when those involved in the project engage each other on the blocks and through the competition.

Mr. Austin explained that at the end of the tournament, the players with potential would be taught at a higher level. "This is in the hope of having future champions to carry on the legacy of the champion [Suki King]," he stated.

Those communities participating in the project are: Gall Hill, Christ Church; Lammings, St. Joseph; Ellerton, St. George; Jessamy Avenue, New Orleans and St. Stephen's Hill, St. Michael; Haynesville, St. James; and Sherbourne, St. John.

The winners of the tournament will receive $800, while those who take the second, third and fourth places will get $400, $250 and $200, respectively.

Moore wins at annual draughts tournament
http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/newsite ... wsID=36968

http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/newsite ... wsID=37319

Re-think for draughts body

7/4/2014

By Hallam Hope

A decision by both finalists in the Masters category to agree to be joint winners in the National Draughts Championship has left the organisers scratching their heads.



Defending champion, Jack Francis, and World Go-As-You-Please champion, Ronald “Suki” King, pushed three moves and agreed to a draw, leaving fans who had braved the inclement weather to see another robust showdown somewhat bemused.

Francis defeated King last year 1-0 and put paid to Suki King’s claim that a Jack cannot defeat a King.

But this year’s final proved to be an anti-climax, leaving the Barbados Draughts Association pondering their next move.

In what has been widely regarded as a very competitive series of competitions, Carson Farley claimed the third place in the Master’s Division with a 1-0 win against Nathaniel “Thani” Grosvenor. Grosvenor produced the upset of the tournament with a 1-0 defeat of King.

The B Class attracted 17 players with the experienced Kent Lane defeating Anderson “Brickford” Hunte 1-0 in the final. Hunte had defeated veteran Sam Marshall 1-0 at the semi-finals and overall had a tremendous run in the tournament. Lane qualified with a 1-0 victory over Andrew Harris.

The women’s champion is again Wilma Branch, who defeated promising newcomer, Wynell Neverson, 2-0 in the finals.

http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/newsite ... wsID=39503

Draughts title heads East

10/21/2014


St. Martins in celebration mode. (Front left to right) Ian Callender, Rawle Williams and Anthony “Rat” Agard (back row), Cedric Fields, Richard Grazette and Captain Darwin Lorde (at the front).


By Hallam Hope
IT had all the ingredients of a competitive final. Come-from-behind draws, surprising wins and clinical finishing in the end-game.
In the end St. Martin’s popped the champagne to celebrate a well-deserved 23-17 win, as the team from the east lifted the 2014 national team draughts title.

Diminutive Richard Grazette led the way with 1-0 wins against Sam Marshall and Wayne “Peg” Gill of Lodge Road A. His finishing in a Whilter game with Marshall and a Second Double Corner line with Gill was clinical and grabbed six critical points in the keenly-contested match.

Ian Callender capitalised on an end-game with Whitfield “Festus” Robinson and bagged three points for St. Martin’s who led 12-8 at the half time. But it could have been closer at Mike Barker’s academy at Bush Hall on Sunday evening, as Nathaniel “Thani” Grosvenor surprised Anthony “Rat” Agard by winning the first game in a clash of Cross lines. Agard did well to show Grosvenor that he too was a capable Cross specialist by clinching the second game.

Lodge Road A also failed to capitalise in the second round where Ian Callender fought back from a game down to draw with Sam Marshall. St. Martin’s narrowly won the second round 11-9, but their four-points advantage from the first round proved the determining factor.

Seven teams competed in the team tournament. Last Sunday, Mike Barker’s Magicians secured third place with a comfortable victory over a much-improved Lodge Road B side.

Despite limited sponsorship, the team tournament demonstrated that draughts is on the rise, with more teams prepared to enter at a competitive level.

http://www.barbadosadvocate.com/newsite ... wsID=43959

Draughts nationals coming

6/13/2015



THE Barbados Draughts Association is hoping for a last-minute flood of entries for the national tournament, which is scheduled to start on Sunday, June 21st, with competition in the Masters and Majors categories.

A general meeting tomorrow at Top Grade Academy in Bush Hall, at 6 p.m., will be the last opportunity for players who have not signed up to do so.

Treasurer, Richard Grazette, one of the top players, said registration to date has been disappointing, with just seven persons registered in both sections. But Grazette, who declined to confirm his participation, said he was optimistic that several players would register tomorrow.

To date, there is no Ronald “Suki” King and no Jack Francis. Retired teacher Darwin Lorde and Michael Barker are among those signed up for the Masters, while warnings have been issued by Junior “Post” Waldron and unofficially by Jeffrey “Socks” Clarke. It was unclear whether a favourite for the Majors, Hascoll Trotman, will be in the fray.

Interest is however keen following the Lodge Road tournament, where Waldron was the Masters’ winner and Trotman the champion among the lesser mortals.

King and Francis shared the Masters division last year, while Kent Layne won the Majors’ event and has qualified to be a Master. Following the meeting tomorrow, the first draw is expected to be made. Players have been reminded that they need to be financial members to register for the Nationals.

A number of players of unknown quality are expected to throw their hats into the coming battles, including Danny Gill, ensuring additional interest in their fates. (PR/HH)

Draughts clash on Sunday

Added by Barbados Today on November 7, 2015.
Saved under Draughts, Sports

Sunday is D-day for the two teams contesting the finals of the John Walcott Memorial Team Draughts Tournament.

The defending champions, St. Martins, clash with Lodge Road A at the All Souls Church annex in Bank Hall at 6 p.m. which will result in one winner, one champion.

The unbeaten Jeffrey “Socks” Clarke of Lodge Road.

The teams have had two weeks to practise hence the better prepared team might well be the determining factor.

While St Martins on paper might appear the favoured winner, Lodge Road A, as a result of their come-from- behind 21-19 victory over St George where Jack Francis was neutralised and held to draws, should not be underestimated.

Both teams have considerable experience on board which makes for a potentially explosive or considerably safe play, depending on team strategy. St Martins are led by national champion Richard Grazette and include Rawle “School Boy” Williams, veteran Darwin “King of Cross” Lorde, the dangerous Anthony “Rat” Agard who has likened some of his victims to peanut butter, Ian Callender, Cedric Fields and Orville “Teddy” Elliott.

Lodge Road A are led captain Whitfield “Festus” Robinson, a seasoned campaigner, and include former national captain Jeffrey “Socks” Clarke, the steady Wayne “Peg” Gill, Henderson Marshall, Hallam Hope and Oliver Whitford.

The finals call for two rounds initially. In the event of a tie, there would be a third round and should that also lead to a tie, then the result in the preliminary round between the two teams would be a determining factor in arriving at a winner.

In any event, a competitive finals is guaranteed for the growing number of players and spectators at Bank Hall this Sunday.

Draughts clash on Sunday

Added by Barbados Today on November 7, 2015.
Saved under Draughts, Sports

Sunday is D-day for the two teams contesting the finals of the John Walcott Memorial Team Draughts Tournament.

The defending champions, St. Martins, clash with Lodge Road A at the All Souls Church annex in Bank Hall at 6 p.m. which will result in one winner, one champion.

The unbeaten Jeffrey “Socks” Clarke of Lodge Road.

The teams have had two weeks to practise hence the better prepared team might well be the determining factor.

While St Martins on paper might appear the favoured winner, Lodge Road A, as a result of their come-from- behind 21-19 victory over St George where Jack Francis was neutralised and held to draws, should not be underestimated.

Both teams have considerable experience on board which makes for a potentially explosive or considerably safe play, depending on team strategy. St Martins are led by national champion Richard Grazette and include Rawle “School Boy” Williams, veteran Darwin “King of Cross” Lorde, the dangerous Anthony “Rat” Agard who has likened some of his victims to peanut butter, Ian Callender, Cedric Fields and Orville “Teddy” Elliott.

Lodge Road A are led captain Whitfield “Festus” Robinson, a seasoned campaigner, and include former national captain Jeffrey “Socks” Clarke, the steady Wayne “Peg” Gill, Henderson Marshall, Hallam Hope and Oliver Whitford.

The finals call for two rounds initially. In the event of a tie, there would be a third round and should that also lead to a tie, then the result in the preliminary round between the two teams would be a determining factor in arriving at a winner.

In any event, a competitive finals is guaranteed for the growing number of players and spectators at Bank Hall this Sunday.