IT’S THE homestretch in the LIME Division 1 cricket competition and with three furlongs to go, it’s a mighty close race.
Last season’s winners Sagicor UWI have a lead by a short head over Super Centre Spartan.
A few lengths back are TeleBarbados Carlton and BNB St Catherine, both still in positions to challenge.
Even at the rear, there is still something of a battle to stay in contention for next year’s race, although the results of the last series now appear to have left ESA Field Pickwick, Police and Old Brigand Dover almost certain of demotion to Upper Intermediate.
It’s at the top of the standings where most interest lies, however, and plenty of attention over the next two weekends will be at the 3Ws Oval on top the hill and Wildey under the hill.
UWI, leaders with 100 points, have a home date with ninth-placed Banks, who will be buoyed by their surprise victory over fifth-placed CGI Maple that has eased their relegation worries.
UWI’s advantage was cut from seven points to four after they were denied a win against Police when Spartan were completing an unlikely win against Caribbean Lumber YMPC.
Having moved to 97 points, Spartan come up against one-time leaders LIME, who now occupy sixth place, in a position where they can press for their first Division 1 title since 2003.
LIME (83) and ICBL Empire (81) are just outside the top five.
Empire are at home to third-place St Catherine (89) at Bayfield in a fixture that always throws up some level of intrigue.
Maple (84) are also in the reckoning but will not find it easy to topple improving Wanderers, whose victory in the last match against Guardian General Barbados Youth also helped their fight against demotion.
The team that seems likely to narrow the gap on UWI and Spartan in this series is Carlton. They meet strugglers Police at Desmond Haynes Oval and anything close to maximum points for the Black Rock men will make things very interesting ahead of the last two rounds of matches.
Despite avoiding defeat against UWI, Police are three from the bottom and in danger of relegation.
The same holds for Pickwick, who are one point ahead of Police and 14 adrift of YMPC, the last time in the safe zone.
It is a tall order for both Police and Pickwick but the latter might be confident of victory against rock-bottom Dover who are 30 points outside the radar.
Standings:
UWI 100, Spartan 97, St Catherine 89, Carlton 89, Maple 84, LIME 83, Empire 81, Wanderers 74, Banks 73, YMPC 71, Pickwick 57, Police 56 Barbados Youth 51, Dover 41.