Last semi-final games on tomorrow

Western Bureau:The opponents for Fighter Jet and Uptown, the two early qualifiers for the finals of 2011 J. Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum-sponsored Western Jamaica Domino League premier league and division one competitions, respectively, will be decided tomorrow at Dynasty Club in Montego Bay, where the second-round semi-final games will be played.

In the games down for contention, defending champions Star International will battle Intouch in the division one game; while in the much-anticipated premier league clash, reigning champions Assassin will lock horns with the highly rated Tropical Riddim. Both games are slated for a 1:30 start.

In last weekend's first-round semi-final games, which were played at Father Bull Restaurant and Bar in Long Bay, Trelawny, Uptown sealed their place in the division one final with a hard-fought 300-287 win against Tornado in their much-hyped Montego Bay derby. In the premier league match-up, it was almost a case of cruise-control as Fighter Jet upstaged Tuff Gong 300-261.

"We had two beautiful semi-final games, which the fans really enjoyed," said Walford Morgrade, the president of the Western Domino League. "It was just a pity that only two of the four teams could have advanced to the finals."

In the division one game, Tornado had the better of the early exchanges and looked quite a reasonable bet to win at the half-time break as they clearly had Uptown on the run with their good-looking 152-138 lead. However, in the second half, Uptown turned the tables on their opponents, first erasing the first-half deficit and then romping to their comfortable margin of victory.

In the premier league game, captain Marlon Hamilton and Tyson Lynch spearheaded a ruthless Fighter Jet assault, which saw them taking a commanding 150-127 half-time lead as Tuff Gong struggled to keep pace with them. The second half was more agony for Tuff Gong as Fighter Jet stepped up the pace in their relentless march to victory.

"Fighter Jet were just too good for Tuff Gong today as they led from start to finish," said Morgrade.

In tomorrow's division one game, the red-hot Star International, who defeated Assassin for the champion of champions title after winning the division one crown last year, should start firm favourites against Intouch. However, on the basis of their current form, the Intouch outfit should not be slighted.

- A.F.