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Top four ready to sizzle

Published:Saturday | June 29, 2013 | 12:00 AM
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Former national striker Kenneth 'Blacks' Gaynor (centre), of Violet Tourers, working his way between two Life TV defenders during a recent Gas Pro Masters League football game. Gaynor is one of the players expected to figure in his team's quest for the coveted Steve Bucknor Trophy, a symbol of western masters football supremacy.-photo by Paul Clarke
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Paul Clarke, Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:Gas Pro Masters League favourites, Jamaica Brazil, will place their fantastic season under further scrutiny when they play Violet Tourers in first-leg semi-final action at Urban Development Corporation playing field tomorrow at 4 p.m.

The Zone B winners will want to prove that they have the power to go all the way this year.

"These are four of the best teams in the competition and a real strong showing is expected in these semi-finals," said the competition's steering committee chairman, Bryan Miller.

All four teams are blessed with a ton load of former national stars and standout players, but in the former Reggae Boyz coach Theodore Whitmore, Warren Barrett (former national goalkeeper and captain) and Daniel Ricketts, it is hard not to hedge bets on Jamaica Brazil.

Violet Tourers, however, will be acting from a different script, as in Horace Maxwell, Keston Walker and Colin Brydson, there is enough quality to disrupt the star-studded Jamaica Brazil team.

"Jamaica Brazil is easily one of the more high-profile teams, with a number of former national players in their ranks, but that alone will not guarantee them success," said Miller. "They will have to play well because Violet Tourers are in the semi-final on merit."

Jamaica Brazil won Zone B after amassing 17 points, the same as Hanover Masters, who, by virtue of an inferior goal average, ended up as zone runners-up and will now face First Choice, the team with which they shared the title last year. First Choice took Zone A honours with 21 points.

Semi-final action

The First Choice versus Hanover Masters first-leg semi-final match will be played at Flankers playing field, also at 4 p.m.

Return-leg action will see Jamaica Brazil tackling Violet Tourers at Westgreen playing field on Sunday, July 14, while Kenilworth will host the Hanover Masters-First Choice second-leg semi-final. Both matches start at 4 p.m.

Hanover Masters will be no pushovers as they boast arguably the most balanced squad in the competition, one which includes the outstanding Durrent 'Tatty' Brown, Rodney Kerr, Devon Ricketts, Paul 'Tegat' Davis and Hector Linton, while First Choice will look to midfield master Hector Wright, Garth Savage, Loxley Reid, Alme McFarlane and Fidel Savage to lead them to glory.

The grand final is set for Sunday, July 21, at Jarrett Park.