Jamaica impress at World Championship of Dominoes

The Jamaica domino team made a good impression at the recently concluded World Championship of Dominoes in St Petersburg, Russia, from May 12 to 14.

The four-man team, which was selected by the National Association of Domino Bodies, comprised Calman Barrett (captain), Martin Hugh along with Trevor Tomlinson and Esrick Gopaulsingh, both from Westmoreland where they represent Intouch Domino Club in Petersfield.

In the pairs (doubles) section of the competition, Gopaulsingh and Tomlinson finished 21st overall from a total of 175 pairs Barrett and Hugh finished 48th.

In the singles category, Hugh finished 18th and Barrett 35th.

According to Barrett, who, as head of delegation, represented Jamaica at the congress, the final placings were not a true reflection of how well the team played.

"In the pairs section, Tomlinson and Gopaulsingh won their first five games on the opening day and also defeated subsequent champions Spain in their sixth match early on the second day to be the number one team at that stage.

"However, we lost to Spain in our second meeting and eventually ended up in 21st place, which was commendable, considering the large number of teams.

"We also held our own in the singles and, all in all, it was a great experience for each of us.

"Although the competition was different from how we play in Jamaica, in that you pose with any domino rather than double six, we emerged as better players. I am looking forward to 2012 when Jamaica will host the championship", said Barrett whose company, Jamaica Electrical Technologies (JET) of Lyndhurst Road, St Andrew, sponsors the Business House domino competition.

Spain swept the competition, winning the singles, as well as the doubles, ahead of Azereaiejan and Venezuela. Significantly, Jamaica and the United States were the only English-speaking teams at the three-day championship which is scheduled for Panama next year and Puerto Rico in 2011.

-Orville Clarke