DEFENDING CHAMPIONS Norman Manley will open their Grace Shield Premier League title defence away to St. Jago on January 16, a day after the 2004 competition bowls off with four matches.
Last season, the Dave Johnson-led Norman Manley became the first team to win both 'A' League and Premier League titles in the same season.
Sixteen teams are registered to take part in the Premier League this year - Excelsior, St. George's College, Jonathan Grant, Trench Town, Waterford, Tivoli, St. Jago and Norman Manley (Group A); and Ardenne, Kingston College (KC), St. Andrew Technical (STATHS), Bridgeport, Spanish Town, Calabar, St. Catherine and Wolmers in Group B.
The 'A' League competitors are Jamaica College (JC), Donald Quarrie, Camperdown, Dunoon, Papine and Mona (Group C); Penwood, Tarrant, Holy Trinity, Greater Portmore, Meadowbrook, Haile Selassie, Eltham and Jose Marti (Group D).
In the opening matches scheduled for January 15, Excelsior will host St. George's College at Emmett Park; Jonathan Grant face Trench Town at Lime Tree Oval in Group A; while promoted Ardenne will play Kingston College (KC) at Ardenne Road and St. Catherine entertain Spanish Town at St. John's Road.
'A' LEAGUE
Action in the 'A' League is set to bowl off on January 17 - Camperdown vs Donald Quarrie; Campion vs Mona; Dunoon vs JC; Tarrant vs Penwood; Greater Portmore vs Haile Selassie; Holy Trinity vs Eltham and Meadowbrook vs Jose Marti are the matches.
Meanwhile, the Jamaica International Insurance Company (JIIC) knockout is set to start on February 25.
