Orville Clarke, Portmore star writer

Starliner from Waltham Park Road ended the reign of defending champions The Dip last Sunday, defeating the Gregory Park-based team 5-3 in the final of the Supreme Ventures/Mandingo-sponsored Dip Invitational skittles tournament at The Dip.

Starliner raced into a 3-0 lead with T. Facey defeating F. Smith, O. Smith getting by A Byfield and M. Guthrie beating C. Walker. However, The Dip introduced their captain, Richard Mohammed, at this stage and he defeated A. Dixon, while Al Greaves followed suit with a win over R. Facey to make it 3-2.

Thereafter, The Dip's Roy Bloomfield beat Starliner's David 'Shabba' Adams to make it 4-3, but O. McCalla ensured victory for Starliner with a win over A. Chalpin in the penultimate game, much to the delight of his teammates.

For their efforts, Starliner received $50,000 and the Supreme Ventures Trophy, while The Dip secured $30,000. Mister C came from behind to win the third place play-off 5-4 against Dragon, capturing the $15,000 prize.

In the Mandingo ladies' singles final, Stacey-Ann Miller from Starliner defeated Eastern All-Stars' Charlene Phoenix 2-0 to win the $6,000 prize and trophy.

Meanwhile, the Henkel-sponsored Pattex Cup skittles competition will be launched tomorrow in Junction, St Elizabeth, starting at 1 p.m.

The Jamaica Skittles Federation will provide a bus to transport skittles' fans to Junction. It leaves Mystix Pool Bar and Skittles Club, 78 ³/_⁴ Hagley Park Road (beside the Ice Factory), at 7:30 a.m.

Eleven teams will be vying for top honours this season, including defending champions Mystix.