The third round of the Jamaica National Men’s National Field Hockey League will get under way today at the Mona facility with Jamaica Defence Force leading with 20 points, one ahead of Circus Circle and two adrift of Raiders United.

Spearheaded by their top-scorer Jerome Davis (eight goals), with support from Marlon Martin (four goals) and Evon Powell (three goals), JDF have so far won six, drawn two, and lost two matches, with 24 goals for and 14 against.

Charles Burton (six goals), Sherman Brown (five goals) and Kishawn Whyte (four goals), meanwhile, have kept Circus Circle on the heels of the leaders with 19 points, after six wins, one draw, three losses.

Despite scoring 32 goals, Circus Circle’s defence has been porous having conceded 25 goals. They have somehow been kept afloat by their attacking play.

Raiders United, who are on 18 points, boast the league’s leading scorer in Nicholas Beach with nine goals of which six are from penalty corners and one a penalty stroke.

With six wins and four losses and 18 goals for and 16 against, Raiders have kept themselves in the fray not just from Beach but also from Brian Brodber (three goals).

They need to prove they have depth, however, as Munro College Old Boys (14 points) will be all too eager to draw level by the next couple of matches mainly through Duvaughn Henlon and Oshane Hasley, four goals apiece, as well as Xavier Hendricks and Brandon Clarke, each on three goals.

Sharpes Rebels are in fifth place with 12 while Explorers are at the bottom with two points in the six-team league.

The women’s competition will begin this afternoon with Sharpes Rebels taking on Excelsior at 2:00 and St Andrew Hockey Club meeting Tropics at 3:30. At 5:00 pm, Sharpes Rebels men clash with Explorers at 5:00 pm.

Tomorrow Circus Circle face Raiders United at 3:00 pm and Munro College Old Boys meet leaders JDF at 4:30 pm.