Defending champs Trafalgar through to semis
Defending champion Trafalgar will enter the semi-final round today as the firm favourite to clinch a final’s berth, following two exciting days of action in the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ Berbice Champion at the New Amsterdam [NA] Ferry Tarmac.
This label was placed on the West Berbice outfit, following an unbeaten campaign to date, following wins over Rose Hall, Hopetown and NA Kings-B.
The West Coast Berbice outfit will faceoff with fellow West Coast unit Litchfield in the first semi-final matchup, with the winner advancing to the grand finale slated to be contested later in the evening.
With players such as siblings Delwyn and Delroy Fraser, Olvis Mitchell and Kevin Layne Junior, Trafalgar is expected to seal their second consecutive berth in the championship match.
However, Litchfield is expected to provide a stern test for the titlist. Their hopes of sealing a place in the final will heavily depend on the trident of Allan Garnett, Shelton George and Carlos Grant.
Meanwhile, the second semi-final clash will be a rematch of the group round, when undefeated outfit East Bank Gunners takes aim at former champions NA Kings.
The first meeting of the teams ended in favour of the East Bank Gunners via a 1-0 scoreline and they will attempt to maintain their dominance over their opponents.
Sherwin Nicholson, scorer of the goal which decided the prior clash, will be expected to lead from the front once more, with the underrated Joseph Giddings the likeliest candidate to provide the vital support.
On the other side, the event’s inaugural champion NA Kings have produced inconsistent displays during their campaign and will require a vast improvement, if they are to secure another final’s berth.
Their squad possesses the necessary talent to craft an improved showing led by the talented and experienced trident of Leonardo Adams, Jamal Butts and Quinn Hazel.
The losers will face-off in the third place playoff. The winning team will receive $300,000 and the championship trophy, while second, third and fourth place finishers will take home $150,000, $100,000 and $75,000 respectively.
Meanwhile, prior to the commencement of the semi-final round, the Guinness Plate Championship will start the night’s proceedings. The victor of this event will pocket $50,000.
It is expected that a number of Banks DIH officials along with media representatives will be on hand to witness the finals of this year’s tournament. The other sponsor on board is Colours Boutique of Robb Street.