Nodley Wright, Freelance Writer

Seba veteran Theodore Whitmore. -File

THE BATTLE for the Wray and Nephew National Premier League title resumes today with a full schedule of games set to kick off the start of the first round.

Today also signals the official start of the ICC Cricket World Cup in the Caribbean and has some sport fans wondering why the games are still on and saying that this is competition the Jamaica Football Federation could do without.

For the league itself, the action will heat up among the top three of Harbour View, Reno and Waterhouse. A fourth team, Portmore United, still has an outside chance with 11 games to go.

At the top of the table, Harbour View should be given the edge over an Arnett Gardens team still trying to find consistency.

best strike partnerships

Harbour View are in possession of one of the best strike partnerships in the league, with national representatives Kavin Bryan and Fabian Taylor, but should be a little worried about back-to-back losses to Reno and Tivoli Gardens in the end of second round final and the Red Stripe Knockout competition.While the Reno loss resulted from a close game, the margin of their loss to Tivoli Gardens did not reflect positively on the state of mind of the squad.

The fact that they played no fewer than six games in about 15 days could have contributed to those losses, but they are in possession of a deep squad.

Today they should be at full strength with the likes of Donald Stewart and Richard Edwards back in contention to partner with Lovel Palmer, Oneil Smith, Robert Scarlett and Jermaine Hue. Arnett Gardens for their part will be hoping that Leon Strickland regains his shooting boots and that he gets support from the likes of Marcelino Blackburn, Cornel Chin-Sue, Everton Bunsie, Shane Edwards and Narado Jenkinson.Second-placed Reno will host Wadadah at Frome. The home team, fresh from their triumph over Harbour View, should be filled with an even greater sense of belief and a hunger to go all the way and three points from Wadadah in today's game appears to be just a matter of course. Blessed with quality young players and good experience, the Westmoreland team had the best record in the second round and should continue in that vein today.

Their only concern for this game would be the fitness of forward Ricardo Scott who had to be withdrawn last week after entering the game as a substitute.

better quality players

Wadadah are in a desperate situation where they need better quality players and it will take more than the pedigree of club stalwart and former national player, Allan 'Creature' Aarons who now conditions them, to lift this bunch.

Daniel Ricketts, Rohan Reid, Markeino Gilings and Gavine Barrett have been consistent performers for them but they will need more - especially after the defection of Jermaine Anderson.

Waterhouse have not had particularly happy returns at Catherine Hall. Additionally, they have had tough matches against a refocused Seba United and they will need a significantly improved performance to get the better of the Montego Bay-based team and to recover ground lost to the top two.

A number of players including midfielder Vincent Earle have recovered from injury and for them to improve he will have to play a key role in stabilising the team, while the likes of Jomo Gordon takes advantage of his chances. Theodore Whitmore appears motivated once more and if he shows up in that mood and his teammates follow suit, then Seba could be dangerous.

At Ferdie Neita Park, former champions Portmore United should be given the edge over neighbours Naggo Head, while Village United will have to get the better of Tivoli Gardens to make coach Fitzroy 'Johnny' Reid's prediction a reality.

August Town have shown improvement but home advantage should count in Boys' Town's favour.

TODAY'S GAMES

Boys' Town vs. August Town at Collie Smith

Seba United vs. Waterhouse at Catherine Hall

Naggo Head vs. Portmore United at Ferdie Neita Park

Village United vs. Tivoli at Elleston Wakeland Centre

Harbour View vs. Arnett Gardens at Harbour View

Reno vs. Wadadah at Frome