Ainsley Walters, Freelance Writer
Reno coach Wendell Downswell has much to smile about after his club earned three points for Seba's failure to show up for last week's fixture. - Ricardo Makyn
LAST Friday's ruling by the competitions committee of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), which saw Reno jumping from 11th to ninth place in the standings has thrown the Premier League's relegation battle on its head in the lower half of the standings.
As a result of the ruling, Reno could very well secure their spot in the Premier League after tomorrow's home match against Village United.
The competitions committee last Friday awarded full points and a 3-0 win to Reno after Seba failed to show for a match at St Elizabeth Technical High School.
Reno, who were two points above last-place August Town in the relegation zone, have jumped five clear of their rivals.
Leapfrogged
Not only have Reno moved clear of August Town with two games to decide which two teams would be demoted, the men from Westmoreland have also leapfrogged St Georges and Arnett Gardens with whom they share 40 points.
Reno are ahead of both teams on head-to-head meetings, beating Arnett once and drawing their other three games against the Junglists.
Against St Georges, Reno have two wins and a draw, awaiting their fourth round clash.
At least one manager, Marlon Small of August Town, has hit out against the ruling.
Small, whose team is set to play away at Arnett Gardens tomorrow, said the JFF should have rescheduled the game due to the nature of the relegation battle.
"What happened to natural justice?" Small asked.
"I am truly and bitterly disappointed. The game should be played as it affects all the other teams. I believe it looks very bad. I believe the ruling should have been otherwise.
"A loss, win or draw could change the situation entirely and Reno have now undeservedly got three points," he added.
Relegation battle
However, with the JFF fining Seba $30,000, adding that its decision could not be appealed, the relegation battle could go down to the wire.
In the other relegation game, Seba, on 41 points, are at home against St Georges in another crucial match-up.
At the top of the table, champions Portmore travel to sixth-place Sporting Central after lifting the title with two matches in hand last Wednesday with a 3-0 win over Waterhouse at Ferdie Neita Park.
Waterhouse and Tivoli, who were at 0-0 in Sunday's Champions Cup Knockout when the lights went at Harbour View, meet for the second time in three days in a big clash at Drewsland.
In the night's late game, dethroned champions Harbour View are at home to third-place Boys' Town, gunning to secure full points from their remaining games for a shot at unseating their rivals.
Games On
Sporting Central vs Portmore United at 3:30
Waterhouse vs Tivoli Gardens at 3:30
Harbour View vs Boys' Town at 7:00
Reno vs Village United at 3:30
Seba vs St Georges at 3:30
Arnett Gardens vs August Town at 3:30
STANDINGS
Championship Group
| Teams | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| Portmore | 36 | 20 | 11 | 5 | 53 | 23 | 30 | 71 |
| Tivoli | 36 | 19 | 5 | 12 | 45 | 37 | 8 | 62 |
| Boys' Town | 36 | 13 | 15 | 8 | 34 | 30 | 4 | 54 |
| Harbour View | 36 | 11 | 16 | 10 | 41 | 36 | 5 | 49 |
| Waterhouse | 36 | 10 | 17 | 9 | 39 | 41 | -2 | 47 |
| Sporting Central | 36 | 10 | 14 | 12 | 41 | 48 | -7 | 44 |
|
Relegation Group
| Teams | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| Village United | 36 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 36 | 34 | 0 | 46 |
| Seba United | 36 | 10 | 11 | 15 | 42 | 50 | -8 | 41 |
| Reno FC | 36 | 8 | 16 | 12 | 39 | 48 | -9 | 40 |
| Arnett Gardens | 36 | 7 | 19 | 10 | 31 | 32 | -1 | 40 |
| St Georges | 36 | 10 | 10 | 16 | 38 | 42 | -4 | 40 |
| August Town | 36 | 8 | 11 | 17 | 35 | 53 | -18 | 35 |
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