Anthony Foster, Freelance WriterThere is an intense battle for semi-final spots as well as that to save relegation going into weekend's penultimate round of matches in the Supreme Ventures Super Cup.
Following the one-week owing to the Test match between West Indies and Pakistan, Manchester
on 25 points, Melbourne and Kingston (23 each), St. Elizabeth and Lucas (15 each) are the teams
gunning to join early semi-final qualifier the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), on 29 points.
Manchester will be travelling to Up Park Camp to play the JDF in the top-of-the-table clash, knowing that first innings points will be good enough to see them through.
Brothers Matthew and Donovan Sinclair, along with this season's spin hero Andre Dwyer, along with Gary Graham, should lead Manchester's fight against JDF with Wayne Cuff, Kamal Dennis, Warren Medwinter and Mark Grey.
Although it's important for Manchester to get first innings points (six), they can still qualify if St. Elizabeth and Lucas fail to win outright against Kensington and Melbourne respectively.
Melbourne, also in search of the magical first innings points, travel to Lucas with the hope that Christopher Gayle will be taking a break after a hectic six-match Test and one-day international series against South Africa and Pakistan.
If Gayle should opt for rest, it will make the task easier for Melbourne with West Indies players Marlon Samuels and Carlton Baugh Jnr.
Lucas will counter with Christopher's brother Wayne Gayle, Omar Burke and company.
While the top teams are gunning for a semi-final place, defending champions Kensington are fighting to remain in the league. So too are St. Catherine CC and St. Catherine Parish.
The availability of West Indies players Wavell Hinds and Daren Powell could be just what the
doctor ordered for Kensington to keep their hopes alive.
Kensington are second from
bottom on 10 points, one behind last year's beaten finalist St. Catherine CC who are likely to pick up full points from bottom-placed St. Catherine Parish.
