International Master Augusto Moran of Ecuador cruised home to his first Digicel RBTT Heroes Day Cup when he defeated Bajan junior Shamel Howell in Round 7 action and drew with Surinam Co-Champion Dewperkash Gajadin the 8th and final round.
 
The Ecuadorian Master who was sponsored by Western Union, topped the Digicel RBTT Cup standings with 7 points, one point ahead last year’s, and two time winner, Terry Farley of Barbados.
 
 
(PICTURE OF AUGUSTO MORAN RECEIVING HIS CHEQUE FROM DIGICEL’S SENIOR CORPORATE SALES EXECUTIVE TRACY CATLYN)
 
 
Any last ditch hopes Farley had of catching Moran faded in round 7 when Giles Suez-Panama of Martinique put up a stubborn resistance to hold him to a draw. Disappointed but not deterred, Farley won his last match against Under 16 Champion Justin Blackman of Queens College to post a second place finish with 6 points.
 
Dirk Austin, last year’s runner-up to Farley, finds himself trailing Farley again but on 3rd place with 5 ½ points. Austin finished in fine style with big wins over two National Champions, Delisle Warner of Barbados in round 7 and Roger Matoewi of Surinam in round 8.
 
Suez-Panama completed his Digicel RBTT Cup with a final round victory over veteran Bajan player Othneil Harewood to tie with Austin on 5 ½ point but hand to settle for 4th place due to Austin’s better tie break score.
 
Dewperkash Gajadin placed 5th with 5 points while National Champion FIDE Master Delisle Warner ended a disappointing 6th with 4 ½ points.
 
The top placed Junior for Barbados was Community College’s Shamel Howell who placed 7th on the tie break after ending with the same points as Warner. Howell was also picked up the prize for best placed Under 2100 or Unrated player.
 
(PICTURE OF SHAMEL HOWELL BEST PLACED UNDER 2100 Or UNRATED PLAYER RECEIVING HIS CHEQUE FROM DIGICEL’S SENIOR CORPORATE SALES EXECUTIVE TRACY CATLYN)
 
 
Ohther standings are Cesar Ramos Venezuela 8th with 4 ½ points, Roger Matoewi 9th 4 points, followed by Othneil Harewood and Justin Blackman on 10th and 11th respectively with 2 ½ points. Lyndell Halliday was 12th with 2 points, while Under-20 Champion Wendell Meusa of Ellerslie was 13th on 1 ½ points and Under-14 Champion Alex Jackman of Lester Vaughn brought up the rear with 1 point.