Cawmere moved closer to a first senior volleyball crown, while queens Warrens got in line to repeat, even though both were not in action when the Goddard Enterprises Limited League continued on Wednesday night at the Wildey Gymnasium.
The events which unfolded among the other teams further aided the title chances of Cawmere and Pan American International Insurance Warrens, who lost their knockout title to UWI Blackbirds this year.
After former kings Progressive had slowed Cawmere’s progress last week by handing them their first league loss, Progressive cleared the path again by beating defending champions Chargers 21-25, 25-22, 25-15, 25-23.
Chargers, who retained their seventh knockout title last week, cannot now repeat as double crown champions.
The shock of the night was the straight-sets (25-17, 25-23, 29-27) thrashing of knockout runners-up Deacons by Foundation United.
The United States-based Jabarry Goodridge, who returned home for the funeral of schoolmate, clubmate and Barbados teammate Shamar Bishop, piloted Foundation to their first win in eight games.
Chargers women beat Frozen Minis Club United 25-21, 25-15, 25-23 to end their season with 37 points a 7-5 record. They hold an illusionary first position, as Warrens, on 35 points and with three games in hand, need just five points to regain the lead and keep the crown.
Toners dismissed Deacons 27-25, 17-25, 28-26, 25-15 to move to 29 points with two games in hand. Toners can only rue suffering unexpected losses to allow Warrens to elude their grasp.
On Sunday, Warrens will play Club and a straight-sets or 3-1 win would give them the title with two matches in hand.
One certainty from an unpredictable season is that Phoenix Security Services Carlton (2-9), with 14 points, will look after the women’s cellar as they cannot surpass Club’s 19 points from a 4-7 record. (KB)