THE 2012 season of the Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) will begin on Friday with action in the Championship Division.
And, on Friday, there will be matches at the five major stadia in the twin-island republic – Hasely Crawford in Mucurapo, Larry Gomes in Arima, Ato Boldon in Couva, Manny Ramjohn in Marabella and Dwight Yorke Stadium in Bacolet.
St Anthony’s, who had a record-breaking 100-percent record in the 2011 season, will start the defence of their North Zone crown in the second game of Friday’s doubleheader, against QRC, at the Hasely Crawford Stadium. That match will be preceded by Mucurapo’s meeting against neighbours Fatima.
On Saturday, St Mary’s will be hosting Diego Martin (the replacement team for the relegated Malick) while Trinity will be on a bye.
In the East Zone, reigning champs El Dorado East will feature in the latter of back-to-back games on Friday, against San Juan, while St Augustine and Arima will renew their rivalry in the earlier fixture at the Larry Gomes Stadium.
And, on Saturday, newcomer El Dorado West (replacing Barataria) are set to entertain Trinity East, as Toco will be inactive.
Carapichaima, the Central Zone title-holders, are set to tackle Tabaquite in the late game at the Ato Boldon Stadium, after Couva West and Gasparillo, square off, while new entrants Chaguanas North (for the relegated Waterloo) will visit Presentation Chaguanas.
South Zone title-holders Shiva Boys will get things going with a clash against Pleasantville at the Manny Ramjohn Stadium with Naparima and Presentation San Fernando facing off in the latter game. And, on Saturday, Moruga (who were promoted at the expense of Vessigny) will be hosting St Benedict’s, as Princes Town will be on a bye.
At the Dwight Yorke Stadium, arch-rivals Scarborough, the 2011 winners, and Signal Hill will meet after Mason Hall and Speyside open proceedings, while Roxborough (back in the fray to replace Pentecostal Light and Life) on a bye.
All of Friday’s doubleheaders are due to begin at 3 pm while Saturday’s contests will each kick-off at 3.45 pm. The BGTT-sponsored Big Five contest will run from October 29 to November 5, while the Coca-Cola Intercol competition will see the Zonal format scheduled from November 7-22 and the National version carded from November 23-30.
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