By Orville Clarke, Portmore Star Writer

Portmore-based Meadowvale moved a step closer to the Wray & Nephew skittles final when they clipped Galaxy 6-5 in quarter-final action last Sunday at Chelsea Bar and Grill.

Significantly, a new champion will be crowned in this year's competition as three of the fancied teams, including defending champions Eastern All-Stars, were knocked out in the quarter-final round last week.

Dragon from Rollington Town came from behind to pip Eastern All-Stars 6-5 in their 'Battle of the East' clash at Chelsea Sports Bar, Chelsea Avenue.

Dragon will now face Meadowvale, who had to work overtime (coming from behind) to pip 10-man Galaxy 6-5 last Sunday, to advance to tomorrow's semis at Mystix Sports Bar, 78 3/4 Hagley Park Road.

In the other semi-final tomorrow, Rowe's Strikers will oppose House of Peace at the same venue.

Rowe's Strikers defeated former champions Cherry's Strikers 6-3 last Sunday at Eastern Skittles Club, 113 Windward Road. And House of Peace pulled off the upset of the year, whipping high-riding Mystix 6-0 also at Eastern. Winners of the semi-finals will meet in the final on Sunday, July 22 at Bejon's Sports Bar, Hughenden Plaza. The winner will receive $80,000 and Wray & Nephew Championship Trophy.

Meanwhile, defending champion Nehemiah 'Fatta' Henry from Eastern All-Stars advanced to the quarter-finals of the Jamaica Electrical Technologies (JET)-sponsored open singles skittles competition last Sunday.

Henry outclassed Anthony Barrett of Rowe's Strikers, taking the best of three matches 2-0. He has been drawn to play his teammate Fitzroy 'Paul' Blair, who advanced after putting away clubmate Keith Barrett in a match which went four games to decide the outcome, following a tie in one of the games.

Other players advancing were Cherry's Basil Kelly, Galaxy's Lawrence Richards, Rowe's pair of Winston Lyew and Alfred Rowe; Dragon's Seymour Bennett and Uriah Gowie from House Of Peace.

The winner will pocket $50,000 and the JET Trophy.