The Goddard Enterprises Limited division one battle heats up this evening with a repeat clash of the 2013 knockout finalists which could point towards who will most likely capture the league titles when the action continues from 6:30 at the Wildey Gym.
Knockout queens Flow Sentry Brokers Deacons who jointly lead the table with the losing finalists Brydens Rockets will re-engage in battle at eight o’clock with the Rockets hoping for a different result from their five-set loss in the finals. Coverley Medical Centre Deacons will be fighting for a change of fortune as well when they meet the league champions Chargers at 8 p.m..
Ironically, the other two games on tap will have great importance in mapping out the final positions when the league comes to an end over the next month. Mid-table teams Chargers and defending league queens Warrens Jaguars will clash at 6:30 while Cawmere meet Progressive at the same time.
While the key players in all of the teams have been delivering so far for the season, the eventual league championships might be decided by the supporting casts stepping up and tipping the odds.
The Juniors and Foundation in the men and Toners, Club United and Carlton among the women are not expected to end in the top four, but with some outstanding performances by various individuals, that group could upset some of the big guns.
Andriy Stapleton and Carlos Cyrus have continued to produce for the Juniors with Darien Seale and Jamar Ward doing likewise for the Foundation. While young Mya Evelyn of Club and Barbados’ junior captain Ashley Marshall of Toners show tremendous potential for the future. However, the hot and cold of Ayesha Maycock and Carlton proves to be a bother for coach Michael Brathwaite.
Tonight, Deacons must decide if former national captain Elwyn Oxley’s best contribution will be as coach of a group of talented but leaderless players who meet a Chargers side superior in attack and defence and who are yet to lose for 2013. Oxley on court or not, Deacons will have to play in top gear to stop Mark Lewis, Damien Danzell, Nicholas Matthias, Ammuniki Wood or whoever setter Alain London unleashes.
Progressive will look to the current form of Akeem Payne, Renier Grace and Fabian Oxley to counter the vicious left cudgel of Shawn Simpson. Greater support from Raffael Lovell and Eadiun Cobham realizing that verbosity is a poor substitute for spiking or blocking power, Cawmere could make a match of tonight’s game.
Deacons have been improving every game while the Rockets have become over-dependent on professional duo of Anicia Wood and Shari Wood. If setter Andrea Flores can avoid the referee’s whistle which hurt her and the Rockets repeatedly in the knockout finals and Katrina Wickham can find some degree of consistency, the Rockets can take out Deacons.
Warrens will also need greater support for the formidable Rhe-Ann Niles, Anthazia Mason and Talya Layne while Chargers who have looked repeatedly to Avara Brown as the only consistent attacker for the season are in a battle to seriously stay in the race for cup glory. The front runners and the stragglers should become known after the final ball is spiked tonight.
Men’s Standings
1. Chargers 4-0 = 20
2. Deacons 3-1 = 17
3. Progressive 2-1 = 12
4. Juniors 2-3 = 10
5. Cawmere 1-3 = 7
6. Foundation 0-4 = 4
Women’s Standings
1. Deacons 4-0 = 20
2. Rockets 4-0 = 20
3. Warrens 3-1 = 16
4. Chargers 3-1 = 15
5. Toners 2-4 = 11
6. Club 0-5 = 3
7. Carlton 0-5 = 2
