Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer

IN WHAT can best be described as the unofficial final, Melbourne will entertain St. Elizabeth in this weekend's Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) Championship decider at Melbourne Oval.

Entering today's final round, St. Elizabeth lead the 10-team standings with 29 points, three ahead of Melbourne (26), which means the winners will be decided between the two teams.

St. Elizabeth only need to avoid defeat to secure the title, while Melbourne will have to win outright to be crowned champions.

Six points are awarded for an outright win, three points for first innings while a point is given for a no-result or losing on first innings in a drawn game.

St. Elizabeth up to the task

St. Elizabeth are aware of the task facing them and their coach, Richard Walters, said his players are ready for the challenge.

"We just need to avoid defeat to win and the players are fully aware of that so we are looking forward to come out with the required result," said Walters.

"The players are very confident, they know the requirements, they know what is expected of them and so they are raring to go," he said.

Walters said his players were not worried about Melbourne because they "have a duty and a task to perform and as such we are focusing on that task".

St. Elizabeth will be banking on their top batsmen, Shawn Findlay and Shane Powell, to lead the charge.

Findlay and Powell should get support from Howard Powell, Damion Ebanks and Davian Davidson in the batting department while off-spinner Wayne Simpson, who has been enjoying a good season, will spearheading the bowling attack.

Ainsley Goss, Howard Powell and Findlay should also contribute in that department.

Impending task

Melbourne are also aware of the task facing them, and though it's more difficult for them, manager and assistant coach Donald McNaughton said his side was confident of victory.

"We are pretty confident," McNaugh-ton said about today's game. "We have been playing consistent cricket, all-round cricket, all season," he said adding that they made more than 400 on three occasions.

McNaughton said they have bowlers that can take the 20 wickets but they will not enter the match overconfident.

"We are going in confident, not overconfident, but confi-dent that we can do the job necessary and win the Cup," he said.

Captain Carlton Baugh Jr. is expected to lead Melbourne's batting with support from Damion Henry, Damion Jacobs, Yanick Elliott and Llewellyn Meggs.

In the bowling department, left-arm pacer Leon Bent, Jacobs, Elliott and Dwayne Cooper should provide the spark.

Kensington, lucas battle

Meanwhile, Kensington and Lucas are fighting to avoid playing in the Red Stripe Championship next season.

Kensington travel to Kirkvine to play Manchester while Lucas face Westmoreland at Allan Rae Oval and only an outright win for both teams can save them from the drop.

Trelawny play St. Catherine CC at Bounty Hall and Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) entertain Kingston at Up Park Camp in the other fixtures.