Western Bureau:

The battle for the coveted St James JNBS/Hart Senior Football League will move into its final phase this afternoon, when favourites Catherine Hall and Melbourne Strikers square off in the competition's first-leg final at the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) playing field in Montego Bay, starting at 3:30 p.m.

"Everything is in place in terms of match officials and security so we are basically ready," said Tracey Reid, the competition's coordinator. "The stakes are very high so we are expecting a very good game."

While they were below their best in semi-final clash against Granville City - which they won 1-0 on aggregate - the Garfield Anderson-coached Catherine Hall have been having an excellent season. In fact, should they report in their best form, they could prove too much for Melbourne Strikers.

Semi-final stage

In eliminating Granville City at the semi-final stage, Catherine Hall won the first-leg game 1-0 courtesy of a Damion Sappleton strike and then held their opponent to a 0-0 draw in the second game to advance to the final 1-0 on aggregate.

Melbourne, whose season looked quite ordinary before a late surge earned them a semi-final place, were solid in their two-way semi-final tie against Tomorrow's People, which they won 3-1 on aggregate. After drawing the first-leg game 1-1, they powered their way to 2-1 victory in the return game courtesy of goals by Winston Montaque and Sefton Macfarlane.

"Based on our semi-final performance I think we are peaking at the right time," said Delroy Harding, manager of Melbourne. "In fact, we are quite confident and ready for this Catherine Hall team."

While Catherine Hall look quite solid in attack, with the likes of Sappleton, Errol Jones and Philmore Thompson, who are all renowned goal-getters, Melbourne Strikers will be aiming to upstage them through Davian Brown and Trevan Allen, the competition's second leading goalscorer with 12 goals.

In addition to the JNBS/Hart Trophy and the $150,000 winner's purse, the eventual winner of the competition will qualify for the 2009-10 Captain's Bakery Western Super League.