The Haslington Market Tarmac will be the battleground tonight when the Guinness ‘Greatest of the Streets’ East Coast Demerara Championship concludes with the semi-final round and eventual final.
A massive which is projected to swarm the venue, will witness the crowning of a new champion who will be $400,000 richer and earn the bragging right and title of best in the region.
“With the reality of a new champion being crowned following the exit of defending champions Uprising, the door is now open for any of the four teams to win the competition and etch their name in the history books,” a release from the organisers Three-Peat Promotions stated.
Paradise-A, last year’s losing finalist, are the odd-makers favourite to clinch their first ever title and will match skills with newcomer Liliendaal Hustlers in the second semi-final clash.
National player Quincy Adams has been the event’s leading player, powering his team to an unbeaten streak alongside the wily Tyreek Cummings. The dynamic duo are proven match winners highlighted by wins over Victoria Eagles, Uprising and Victoria Church Yard.
Standing in their way and having the unenviable task of thwarting their ambitions of a consecutive finals appearance is the dogged Hustlers side. The Liliendaal outfit has improved with each match following a timid initial display and possess the requisite quality to secure a positive result.
Their ambitions will rest on the shoulders of Anthony Sancho, Kwame Holder, Jahaal Greaves and Stephon Reynolds. Meanwhile, the first semi-final affair will pit former champion Melanie-B against crowd favourite Victoria Church Yard.
Alongside Paradise-A, Melanie-B is the holder of an undefeated record following hard-fought victories on the previous match-days.
As a former winner, Melanie-B possesses the quality and mindset to earn another berth to the championship match and will depend on the trident of Ryan Seales, Odell Gulliver and Anil Hernandes to craft another victory. On the other hand, the scrappy Victoria Church Yard will require a resolute display from lynchpin Rasleigh Morrison if progression to the final is to be realised.
“What is known is that the two encounters have all the trappings of providing enthralling action for the fans. The communities along the corridor and those beyond have been extremely supportive over the two previous days and with so much up for grabs and the fact that a new king will be crowned are enough factors to make the Haslington community feel good about hosting the event for another year,” the release stated.
The respective winners will advance to the championship match, with the losers battling in the third place playoff.
Winner of the event will pocket $400,000 and a championship trophy, with the second, third and fourth place finishers will collect $175,000, $100,000 and $75,000 respectively and the corresponding accolade.
Prior to the commencement of the semi-final round, the Guinness Plate Championship will be staged. Uprising will oppose BV-A, while Belfield Warriors will lock horns with Buxton Diamond. The winner of this section will cart off with $60,000.
