Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) will have their work cut out to maintain their grip at the top in this weekend’s sixth match of round three in the JNBS National Hockey League at the Mona facility.

The military men still lead the standings with 23 points, despite a 5-0 pounding last Saturday by Circus Circle who are in second place with 22 points.

Ambitious Raiders United, in third place with 21 points, will battle the JDF tomorrow at 4:30 pm with the aim of moving into second place since minnows Explorers, the cellar team with only two points from 12 matches, will be no match for the marauding Circus Circle at 3:00 pm, also tomorrow.

So far this season, the JDF have found Raiders United a handful, losing 2-3 on April 1 in the first round, but clipping them 1-0 in the second round.

Spearheaded by Jerome Davis and Marlon Martin, JDF are one of the most attacking teams in the competition with 26 goals from 12 matches and are intent on sending that emphatic reminder to Raiders.

Nicholas Beach and Brian Brodber, meanwhile, have had a good head for goals for Raiders this year and will they have to show that aptitude to stand up to the Soldiers.

In today’s matches, St Andrew (HC) Hockey Club will play Excelsior HC at 2:00 pm and Tropics HC tackle Sharpes Rebels in 5:00 pm in Women’s League action.

At 3:30 pm today in the lone men’s match, fourth-place Sharpes Rebels (18 points) oppose fifth-placed Munro College Old Boys (17 points).

After one match, Tropics lead the table in the Women’s League with three points, ahead of Sharpes and Excelsior (one point each) and St Andrew on zero point.

The preliminary rounds of the JNBS National Hockey League is scheduled to end on July 8.