Fighter Jet take top award

Adrian Frater, News Editor

Western Bureau:Premier League champions Fighter Jet were the toast of last Saturday night's J. Wray & Nephew-sponsored White Overproof Rum Western Domino League end-of-season presentation and awards ceremony, in Montego Bay, walking away with a $100,000 cheque and the championship trophy.

"We are extremely pleased with our overall performance as it showed the strength and character of this team," said Fighter Jet's Captain Marlon 'Hero' Hamilton, who also guided the team to the title in 2011. "It was not always smooth sailing, but we were quite determined not to give up our title."

Against a backdrop of rich accolades at the Barnett Street headquarters of the Western Domino Association (WDA), the association's president, Walford Morgraige, and J. Wray & Nephew representatives Desmond McGregor and Ansel Carter were among those praising the teams for making the season the success it was.

BEST SEASON

"This is the best season of domino we have had in both the Premier League and Division One, and I want to commend all the players, supporters, and especially the sponsors," said Morgraige. "I can't wait to see the success rolling over into next year, as our domino is definitely on a sound footing."

In the Premier League final, which was a one-sided affair, the ruthless Fighter Jet easily brushed aside Tuff Gong 360-251. For their losing effort, the Tuff Gong team, which was expected to put up a stronger challenge, pocketed $70,000 and the runners-up trophy.

In the play-off for third place, Assassin made light work of Strike Force, pocketing the $50,000 third-place money. Strike Force took home $30,000 for their fourth-place finish. Assassin and Strike Force were the beaten semi-finalists.

Kool Waves took the major Division One award, taking home the $65,000 winner's purse and the J. Wray & Nephew Division One Championship Trophy for their 300-280 win against Unity Striker in the finals. Unity Strikers took home $40,000 and the runner's up trophy.

"This is our third year of sponsorship and we could not be more pleased with the way things have been going," said McGregor, speaking on behalf of J. Wray & Nephew, which sponsored the league to the tune of $400,000. "Hopefully, our association with the WDA will be long and fruitful.

While they did not win any of the major awards, Western Stars was praised for the high level of sportsmanship they displayed during the season, which earned them the Most Disciplined Team award.

From left: Valda Williams of the Kool Wave Domino Club poses with the Division One championship trophy with Walford Morgraige, president of the Western Domino Association, as Marlon 'Hero' Hamilton, captain of Fighter Jet Domino Club, holds the Premier League trophy.