Race on for final U-15 semis spots

Teams will be jostling for the remaining three semi-final spots when the seventh and final series of matches in the Barbados Cricket Association’s (BCA) LIME Under-15 championship starts today at noon and concludes tomorrow.Garrison have already clinched a berth in the semi-finals with an unassailable 26 points in Zone C and will take on St George at Beckles Road.In Zone A it is a close race between Combermere, on 23 points and Lodge, with 21 points. Defending champions Combermere will host St Michael at Waterford, while Lodge oppose Parkinson at the Pine. The bad weather, which has severely affected the entire competition, could be the determining factor in the outcome of both matches.    At Cane Garden, Lester Vaughan, on 11 points, and Alexandra, with eight points, will meet in a very important encounter. Last year’s runner’s-up Deighton Griffith, with 16 points, have completed their quota of matches. It means therefore that nothing but a win will help  Lester Vaughan’s or Alexandra’s cause. If Alexandra win and draw level with Deighton Griffith, they will be separated by rule No 14 (b) of the competition. If Lester Vaughan are victorious, automatically they will top the zone with 19 points. St. Leonard’s, with 16 points, and Harrison College, 15 points from Zone C, must also be fancying their outside chances of reaching the semi-finals when they take on St. James and Alleyne respectively. However, it is a must win situation for them as Lodge, Combermere and Coleridge and Parry are all ahead on points. The winners of the three zones, together with the second-placed team which has the highest number of points shall advance to next week’s semi-final. Rule No. 15 (a) states that if two or more teams are tied for second place or have the same number of points, the same rule and/or condition which applies to the zone winner shall be applicable in order to determine the fourth semi-final place. The final is slated for August 10 to 12 at the LIME ground in Wildey. POINTS ahead of the final series of matches: Zone A: Combermere 23, Lodge 21, Coleridge and Parry 21, Ellerslie 12, St Michael 11, Princess Margaret 4, Parkinson 2. Zone B: *Deighton Griffith 16, *Foundation 14, Lester Vaughan 11, Alexandra 8, Queen’s College 5, St. Lucy 2. Barbados Females competed in this zone but no points were awarded for their matches. Zone C: Garrison 26, St. Leonard’s 16, Harrison College 15, St. George 8, Alleyne 6, *Grantley Adams 5, St. James 4. NB: * Indicates teams which have completed their quota of matches.