Fairfield on the hunt for back-to-back SDC T20 titles

AFTER ALMOST missing out on qualifying for the national phase of the Social Development Commission National Community T20 competition, Fairfield United, out of Manchester, will have the opportunity to win back-to-back titles when they square off against Links United, out of St Ann, in the final today at Chedwin Park starting at 2 p.m.

Fairfield had lost two games in the preliminary stage of the competition. Still, after receiving a lifeline, they have bounced back remarkably and have shown championship mettle to book their place in another final.

Player-manager of the Fairfield United team Leighton Leslie says his team still has not yet played their best cricket, and he hopes they can come up with that performance in the season’s final game.

“We are elated to make it back to the final because at one stage, we had lost hope after losing two matches at the start of the national phase. We were given a lifeline, and since then, we have been playing better cricket and hope to carry it right through,” said Leslie.

Several players who were a part of the team that defeated Junction Ballards Valley in last year’s final are back to give it another shot at the title defence.

They will bank on the likes of national fast bowler Gordon Bryan to be among the wickets, along with fellow fast bowler Richard Thomas and all-rounder Oshane Walters.

On the other side of the fence, Links United could be considered the form team heading into the championship game as they have only lost once this season.

They will also parade a powerful line-up, with the likes of national batsman Tevin Gilzene, Damion Bryce and Renaldo Ingram, all capable of winning the match on their own.

For manager Stephen Miller, the team is looking to close out the season with silverware, having demonstrated some outstanding cricket throughout.

“It’s a joy to be in the final because we have been bridesmaids in the parish finals for many years. To make it this far shows that we have what it takes to win a championship, and that is what we are gunning for.”

The winning team will take home $1.5 million and the runners-up will receive $750,000.

The Masters final between Bushy Park from Clarendon and Angels from St Catherine will be the curtain raiser, starting at 10 am.