Fighter Jet win Champion of Champions showdown

WESTERN BUREAU:J.Wray & Nephew Overproof Rum Premier League champions Fighter Jet crowned themselves the undisputed champions of western Jamaica's domino last weekend when they defeated Division One champion Uptown in the end-of-season Champion of Champions showdown.

In the game at Duncans, Trelawny, the Marlon 'Hero' Hamilton-led Fighter Jet, who defeated Tropical Riddim 300-260 a fortnight ago to win the 2011 J Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum Premier League title, outscored their opponents 300-275.

"As I have been saying all season, we are the best team in western Jamaica, if not all of Jamaica," said Hamilton. "There is no way we would have allowed a division one team to beat us ... that was never going to happen."

In a game in which they did not play at their vintage best, Fighter Jet did enough to transform a 153-149 half-time lead into their fairly solid margin of victory.

Best shot

"We gave it our best, but our best was just not good enough today," said Uptown's captain Walford Morgrade, who is also president of the Western Domino League. "It was a good game and a wonderful way to end the season."

With the season, which featured 20 teams, now over, the curtains will officially come down on Thursday, November 10, with the presentation and awards ceremony at the Western Domino Association headquarters on Barnett Street in Montego Bay.

"We want the presentations to be a very special affair as this is yet another way of showing our appreciation to our sponsors J Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum," said Morgrade. "I can promise you that it is going to be a colourful event."

MAjor awards

Among the major awards for the presentation ceremony are the following: Premier League champions Fighter Jet - $100,000 and the J Wray & Nephew Trophy; second place Tropical Riddim - $70,000; and third place Assassin - $50,000; Division champions Uptown - $65,000 and a trophy; second place Intouch - $40,000, and third place Tornado - $30,000.

"We are already looking forward to next year as a number of new teams are seeking to enter the competition," said Morgrade. "This year's competition has been the best we have had in several years, and we are aiming to make next year even better."

The top players from the league will now be turning their attention to getting ready for next year's Domino World Championship, which will be staged here in Jamaica.