WESTERN SPORTS - Strike Force extend lead in Domino League

Western Bureau:

Strike Force continued their relentless march to claim top billing in the Western Domino League (Premier League) when they brushed aside Tropical Riddim 300-282 last weekend in the latest round of matches.

It lifted their points tally to 57, with two rounds remaining before the end-of-round final.

Defending champions Fighter Jet crashed to a 52-points loss to B52 Bomb Squad, their fourth loss of the season, to slump to fifth in the standings. It was their first back-to-back loss of the season as their title defence has been taking a hit in recent outings.

"The defending champions are stuttering a little bit over these last couple of games, but I think they will still be in the hunt, as will Strike Force, who have been playing very well," said Walford Morgriege, the competition's director.

Dynamic Strikers had to dig deep to hold off Tuff Gong in their clash, which saw them winning by a mere four points in a 300-296 thriller, while Deeside handed Tornado a 300-261 whipping in the league's other pairings.

In Division One action, leaders, Dynasty, were relentless in their 55-points win (300-245) over Top Class, and second-place Intouch were beaten 300-276 by Uptown.

Long Bay enjoyed themselves in a very exciting match against Rainbow, eventually winning the thriller by two points (300-298). Tropical Storm tagged Logwood 300-290.

Downright Engrossing

But if action in the top two divisions are lively and enterprising, then what is transpiring in the second division is downright engrossing as four teams are locked on 22 second-round points and will have to play each other to determine who makes the end-of-round final. The four - Glendevon CDC All Star, Peace and Love, Hawkeye Stingers, and Tatch - have produced some of the most entertaining matches so far, according to Morgriege.

But while the end-of-round final is yet to be determined, three of the four - Glendevon (47 points), Peace and Love (46), Hawkeye Stingers (40) - have been joined by Western Stars (36) as semi-final qualifiers based on the overall number of points accumulated.

Action continues tomorrow with Strike Force taking on B52 Bomb Squad in the Premier League; where Deeside also meet Tropical Riddim; Cool Wave battle Tuff Gong; Dynamic Strikers meet Assassins; and the free-falling defending champions, Fighter Jet, host Tornado.

Uptown will clash with Long Bay, Top Class host Intouch, Rainbow and Logwood will do battle, while Slickers will hope to post a win over Tropical Storm, in Division One.

- Paul Clarke