Wayne Morgan ... I hope this can motivate people to come out and support the game. - Richard Bryan photo
Junction may have emerged champions but a large chunk of Sunday's 20/20 fiesta at Alpart was stolen by St Catherine team, De la Vega, which defeated last year's winners South Stars in what turned out to be the most exciting game of the day - the third-place play-off.
Played as the curtain-raiser, the the third-place play-off for the $150,000 prize was expected to produce little drama, as most of the crowd support latched on to South Stars, last year's champion.
That prediction certainly stayed close to the script when the St Catherine team, better known for its record in football - having qualified for the Premier League once in 1995 while winning St Catherine Division One - laboured to 115 for eight off their alloted 20 overs.
Taking first strike on the wicket - under early morning moisture which made it difficult for batting - De la Vega were rocked early by a fiery burst from Neive McNally, Prince Broomfield and Denroy Boothe, who each claimed two wickets. From 34 for four in the sixth over, Shaun Earl kept the innings together and was unbeaten at the end on 45, with the next best contribution coming from Junior McKenzie with 26.
South Stars came out blazing in their run-chase, with opener Ucal Broomfield smashing the first two balls for four before swinging the fourth for a huge six to garner 16 off the first over, bowled by the De la Vega captain and St Catherine senior Cup player Wayne Morgan.
The home crowd was stunned in the second over, however, when Lowan Smalling smartly covered a distance of nearly 50 metres from long on to effect a brilliant catch on the boundary, as Broomfield struck Karl Robinson high and straight.
South Stars' captain Courtney Allen, who hit a century during Jamaica's recent successful U-19 campaign, filled the breach by striking a couple of hefty blows, including hitting an astounding shot when, perched on the front foot, he cannoned a short ball from Morgan over cover for six.
Unbelievable upset
He brought up his team's 50 in the seventh over, but his dismissal for 27 came almost immediately. Terrence Dixon (11) went next at 56 for three and when a ball scutted along the surface to have Sherdan Allen plumb leg before, it was 66 for four.
Despite some lusty hits by wicketkeeper batsman Courtney Francis, South Stars limped to 87 for six in the 16th over and an unbelievable upset seemed on the cards.
Three wickets were lost in the penultimate over where South Stars needed 12 runs but caved in with bizzare shots and running. However, according to Morgan, self-belief and an attitude to win had never been lost.
"We looked at the wicket and knew that it gave a chance to both batsmen and bowlers. Once we got Allen, we knew we could add the pressure and win."
He commended his bowlers who kept tight lines, notably the trio of Marinero Dixon - three wickets for six runs, Anturaine Stephens - two for 10 and Kadeen Haughton - two for 28.
His biggest hope is for this achievement to inspire a change in attitude for cricket in De la Vega.
"We have a cricket pitch at the community centre but the conditions are not ideal. Cricket is not recognised in the community, but I hope this will motivate people to come out and support the game."