Tranmere gets Spice Boy

BIRKENHEAD:

Spice Boy Kithson Bain has signed a one-year contract with English League One Tranmere Rovers, becoming the first Grenada-based player to secure a professional contract overseas.

The 27-year-old signed for the northwest England club yesterday after sorting out work permit issues with Home Office authorities here.

"Kithson is a strong, quick striker and I'm pleased to be able to bring him to the club," said Tranmere coach John Barnes.

"He was the top scorer in the Caribbean Cup with six goals when I was manager of Jamaica and he carried the Grenada side."

Manager tips T&T

PORT-OF-SPAIN:

Trinidad & Tobago team manager, Colin Borde, has tipped the national side to challenge strongly in the upcoming club Champions League in India, despite the tough competition they are expected to face.

T&T, the regional Twenty20 kings, have been installed in Group A of the lucrative tournament with IPL champions Deccan Chargers and English title holders Somerset.

"We have a very good chance to win matches and prove to the world that the standard of cricket in T&T is high," Borde said.

T&T will be boosted by the inclusion of several of their top players who have international experience, and Borde said this would be a definite plus for the side.

Ireland clip South Africa

LIMERICK, Ireland (AP):

Liam Lawrence's superb free-kick goal led Ireland past World Cup host South Africa 1-0 in a friendly yesterday.

Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni fielded a squad of rarely capped players, all aiming to impress enough to secure a World Cup spot on a team surprisingly close to qualifying for next year's tournament.

Lawrence, a 27-year-old winger making only his second start for Ireland, struck the winner - and his first international goal - in the 37th minute. His 25-yard free kick curled over the South African wall and found the top left corner of the net.

Lawrence admitted he was frustrated at not being able to break through into the regular squad while playing at English clubs Sunderland and Stoke. He said he hoped his winning kick "gives (Trapattoni) something to think about."