Top two teams to clash in CTL domino league

By Orville Clarke, Portmore Star Writer

The CTL-sponsored Port-more/St. Catherine domino league resumes tomorrow after a one-week break with a really big clash between the top two in the standings, the unbeaten Caribbean Classic and Fort International.

This match will be played at Caribbean Classic, Portmore Lane, starting at 11:30 a.m. and is worth going miles to see.

Caribbean Classic lead the standings with maximum 85 points from 17 matches, while Fort International from Passagefort are a clear second with 75 points from 16 matches.

Oddly enough, both are un-beaten around the tables. Fort, however, lost a disputed match (which ended prematurely) against St. Joseph some weeks ago when the Jamaica Domino Federation ruled against them.

Captain of Fort International, Kenneth 'Foota' Palmer, said his players are confident going into the biggest match of the season. This being an away match is not a concern to team members, said Palmer, as they play well in away matches. "Big names don't frighten us. We are not only confident but the players are focused. They are looking forward to this big clash for a long time and although a loss won't stop us from qualifying for the quarter finals with only four round remaining in the preliminary round, we are gunning to make a statement from now," said Palmer who is assistant to trainer Dennis Lee at Caymanas Park. "A victory over Caribbean Classic would be a big boost for the team, as the ultimate goal is to make amends for losing last year's final to St. Joseph by winning this year's competition."

Caribbean Classic, on the other hand, boast an impeccable record in winning 17 straight matches with maximum points and defeat is out of the question as far as key player, former champion jockey Wesley 'Callaloo' Henry is con-cerned. "We caan lose," was his blunt response. "We have too many good players and over the past year have found the right combinations ... like myself and regular partner Gregory 'Scatter-shot' James," said Henry, who was champion jockey in 1997 and runner-up to Brian Harding last year. "I am really looking forward to this clash but as far as I'm concerned, it will be more of the same. We are just better than the rest."