Red-hot Fighter Jet demolish Tuff Gong

Adrian Frater, News Editor

Western Bureau:Fighter Jet regained the J. Wray & Nephew-sponsored White Overproof Rum Western Domino League title in fine style on Sunday night after scoring a resounding 360-251 over Tuff Gong in the 2012 Premier League at the Drunken Squid Bar & Grill in St James.

"It is a very good feeling, especially when one considers how much we struggled at the start of the season," said Fighter Jet's captain Marlon 'Hero' Hamilton. "While many people were saying we could not make it, I was always confident … It was inevitable that we would have won."

By virtue of their win, the Trelawny-based Fighter Jet, which seemingly peaked at the right time, took home the J. Wray & Nephew Championship Trophy and the $100,000 winners' purse.

In the Division One final, which was played simultaneously with the Premier League final, Kool Waves fought off a determined challenge from Unity Strikers to record a 300-280 win. By virtue of their win, they will meet Fighter Jet in the season-ending Champion of Champions showdown.

For their win, the Kool Waves aggregation pocketed $65,000 as well as the J. Wray & Nephew Division One Championship Trophy. In addition, the team has qualified for Premier League domino next year.

"It was a night of exciting action and I was most impressed," said Walford Morgraige, president of the Western Domino League. "There is absolutely no doubt that western Jamaica's domino is on solid grounds."

In the Premier League final, which was played against a background of blaring vuvuzuelas and clashing Dutch pot covers, Fighter Jet took control early to establish a commanding 150-121 half-time lead as their opponents buckled under intense pressure.

"I really must commend the entire team," said Hamilton, who decided not to play in the second half with his team already looking invincible with 150 points to go. "We simply outclassed them … . They were no match for us tonight."

In the Division One final, Kool Waves sounded an early warning when they made a confident start to establish a comfortable 150-135 half-time lead. While Unity Strikers played a stronger second half, they never got close enough to pose a significant challenge as Kool Waves cruised to victory.

For being the beaten Premier League finalists, Tuff Gong pocketed $70,000, while the beaten Division One finalists Unity Strikers took home $40,000.