By Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer 
Marlon Samuels
OCHO RIOS, St. Ann:
A BATTLE ROYAL is expected at Content Gardens Oval today when defending champions Royal Decameron, formerly Club Caribbean, and many-time champions Shaw Park clash the second semi-final of the John Issa/SuperClubs, Super-Inclusive Resorts sponsored St. Ann/St. Mary Hotels cricket competition.
The 38-over-per-side showdown will bowl off at 10:30, and with both teams vying for a place in next week's final against Jamaica Grande, who defeated Couples by 68 on Tuesday, it should be hot.
Also, with players like Marlon and Robert Samuels and Audley Sanson on show for Shaw Park and with Wayne Cuff, Nehemiah Perry, Brian Murphy and Cleveland Davidson in the Royal Decameron line-up, this semi-final promises a lot of excitement and could go right down to the wire.
The showdown is also a repeat of last year's semi-final where the two teams played to a tie in their first encounter. Club Caribbean, their name at that time, went on to win the replay before carving out a 2-0 best-of-three-final win over Jamaica Grande.
The manager of Royal Decameron, Thomas McKenzie, believes the team which wins today's match will go on to win the final.
"I think we stand a very good chance of winning our second straight John Issa/SuperClubs cricket title and with the first hurdle, Shaw Park, it should not be too difficult," McKenzie said.
"We are in good hands with experienced players such as former West Indies off-spinner Perry, former Jamaica batsmen Wayne Cuff, Orville Pennant and Cleveland Davidson, along with fast bowler Sadique Phillips, who played a very important role in our success last year.
"However, despite the national players, I think we have a very good all-round team and all the guys will pull their weight come match time. Our game plan will take care of everything Shaw Park have to offer," he said.
Royal Decameron's batting will be led by wicketkeeper/batsman Pennant, who has so far scored more than 300 runs this season. He should get support from Cuff and Davidson, who have more than 250 each, Perry and Murphy, who are unpredictable with the bat, Alton Taylor, Christopher Hamilton and Adrian Byfield.
However, with the Test experience of Marlon Samuels' and his off-spin, Jamaica fast bowler Sanson, St. Ann Senior Cup all-rounder Orlanzo Harris, left-arm spinner Andre Dwyer, Courtney Laing and Harlon Haye, Royal Decameron could be in for a shock.
Despite, the dept in the Royal Decameron batting line-up, Shaw Park possess two batsmen with Test and one-day international experience in the Samuels brothers.
Lascelles McKoy, manager of the Shaw Park team, said despite losing to Shaw Park on the past two occasions, he was not worried.
"We have the tools to take care of Royal Decameron, all we need to do is to play well and once we do that victory will be waiting. We will definitely turn the table this time around on Royal Decameron," McKoy said.
