Pres, Carapichaima in Central Zone finale

THE Central Zone of the British Gas Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) will conclude today with defending champs and leaders Presentation opposing Carapichaima at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva, to determine the holders of the 2003 trophy.

Presentation have a two-point advantage over Carapichaima but must guard against complacency as they were beaten 1-0 at home to Carapichaima in their first confrontation on September 13. With Chaguanas already consigned to the bottom position, Tabaquite who will cop third place, hosts Union Claxton Bay. St Anthony’s can claim the North Zone depending on the fortunes of today’s games — if chasers QRC are defeated by the table-proppers Diego Martin and the “Westmoorings Tigers” claim at least a draw against Mucurapo at the Fatima Grounds.

In other Zonal games, St Mary’s host Fatima at the CIC Grounds, St Clair and Malick squares off against Morvant/Laventille at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo. Teams will be jostling for positions ahead of the RBTT Intercol, which starts on October 27, while the lower-placed teams will try to avoid relegation in the East and South Zones. San Juan welcomes Toco to its Bourg Mulatresse Grounds, with San Juan needing at least a draw to avoid the relegation spot while El Dorado, who have endured a miserable season, meeting neighbours Hillview at the El Dorado Grounds. The “Green Machine” St Augustine, already assured of the runners-up spot, hosts Barataria while back-to-back champs Arima faces St George’s at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar, Arima. Presentation, who will seal the cellar position in the South Zone, will meet Mayaro at the Mayaro Recreation Ground while second-placed Princes Town hosts St Benedict’s. All matches begin at 3.45 pm with the exception of a double-header at Skinner Park, San Fernando or Guaracara Park, Pointe-a-Pierre. Third-placed Pleasantville battle Fyzabad at 3 pm and winners Naparima battle Vessigny two hours later.