BREESE Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer
Participating teams in the 2007 Red Stripe-sponsored Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) Championship League are only playing for pride and prize money.
Unlike previous years where the winners and runners-up advance to the big league, Super Cup, there will be no such opportunity this year.
Brian Breese, chief operations officer at the JCA, told The Gleaner that the Super Cup will be reduced to eight teams as of this season.
"There will be no promotion from the Red Stripe Championship and two teams will go down, leaving the Super Cup to what is now called the semi-pro league, with eight teams," Breese said.
The two demoted teams will join the 11 teams in the Red Stripe Championships and according to Breese, they probably will be split into two zones for next season's competition.
Accepted decision
Asked how the teams felt about the JCA's decision, Breese said: "I think it has been accepted. There wasa bit of opposition to it, obviously, but when a round-robin was done the majority was in favour of it.
"But it's only for one year that there will be no promotion," added Breese, who believes the move will help Jamaica's cricket overall.
"The idea of having a semi-professional league will encourage players, maybe not to go to England ... and I think the fact that you are dealing with fewer clubs, I think that will raise the standard and that they will attract better players," he noted.
"I think after the first year, they probably will be attracting players from overseas."
Meanwhile, Hanover extended their lead after registering the weekend's only first innings points triumph.
Hanover moved to 15 points, three ahead of St. Ann (12) and Police (11). St. James (eight), Kingston & St. Andrew (seven), Portland and St. Mary (five each), St. Catherine (four), Clarendon (three), Boys' Town and St. Thomas (two each) are the other competing teams.
Rain-hit weekend
On the rain-hit weekend, Hanover secured first innings points from Kingston & St. Andrew at Elgin Town. Sent to bat, Kingston and St. Andrew were blown away for 84. Kenneth Beckford was the most successful bowler for Hanover with three wickets.
At their turn at bat, Hanover raced to 183 for three declared, thanks to Kennar Lewis' 66.
Facing a deficit of 99, Kingston & St. Andrew were saved by the rain at 23 for three.
At Goodyear Oval: St. Thomas, who resumed Sunday's final day on 56 for two, struggled to 120 for eight when rain ended play. Denral Passley (27) and Oneil Wright (24) scored most runs against Marlon Hoillett (three for 36).
At Gray's Inn: Replying to Police's 61, St. Mary were 24 for four when rain ended play.
At G.C. Foster College: St. James were dismissed for 162 and Portlnad were 24 without loss.
