Final semi-final places up for grabs today

Western Bureau:

The final three semi-final places in the 2011 St James SDC Twenty20 Cricket Competition will be decided today when the curtain comes down on the preliminary phase of the eight-team competition with four games - two in Zone A and two in Zone B.

In Zone A, early qualifiers Arcadia CC, on six points, will oppose out of contention Police, who are without a point from their two games, in the 10 a.m. opening game at Spot Valley. In the second game, at 2 p.m., joint second-place teams Granville CC and Catherine Hall - on three points each - will square off for the group's second semi-final place.

Over in Zone B, leaders Kensington CC, on maximum six points, will meet Orange CC, who are in joint second place on three points with Farm Heights, in a 10 a.m. opening game at the Orange Community Centre. In the second game at 2 p.m., Farm Heights will take on bottom-place Niagra CC.

While Zone A will be a straight-forward affair with the winners of the Granville against Catherine Hall game joining Arcadia in the semi-final, Zone B is not as clear-cut as depending on the results, Kensington, Orange and Granville could all finish atop the standings with six points each.

"If we end up with a three-way tie in Zone B, we will use run-rate and whatever other calculations might be necessary to decide which two teams will move into the semi-finals," said the competition's coordinator, Yvette Malcolm, the SDC Sports Officer for St James. "All three teams are fully aware of the situation," she added.

The mathematical calculations could be avoided if Kensington and Farm Heights emerge winners against Orange and Niagra. Kensington would finish atop the group with nine points while Farm Heights would be second on six points.

Interesting possibility

Interestingly, should Orange and Farm Heights end up losing their games, there would be a three-way tie for second position as Farm Heights, Orange and Niagra would all be on three points. Should such a scenario unfold, run rate would be used to decide which team advance.

In last weekend's round of matches, Kensington made it two wins from two starts in Zone A with an 18-run win over Farm Heights - Kensington 154 all out off 17 overs, Farm Heights 136 all out off 18 overs. In the second game, Niagra 95 all out off 14 overs lost to Orange, who made 97 for three off 7.5 overs.

In Zone B, Catherine Hall 192 for 9 off 20 overs, defeated Police 95 all out off 17 overs while Granville, 116 for five in 17 overs, lost to Arcadia who made 117 for five off 15 overs.

- A.F.