The semi-finals of the Sherwin Williams Women’s Premier League take place this afternoon at the UWI Bowl with defending champion Barbican facing first-timers UWI Women at 2:00 pm and former winners Portmore Strikers meeting Waterhouse in the other game at 4:00 pm.

Champions Barbican, who are hunting their fifth title, came out of the preliminary round without dropping a point, taking maximum 30 points from their 10 games to win Zone A.

Their opponent, UWI, made their debut in the competition this season and finished an impressive second behind Waterhouse in Zone B, upstaging more fancied teams like Santos and Harbour View.

However, the Charles Edwards-coached Barbican look the red-hot favourites to win today’s contest with the league’s topscorer Jody-Ann McGregor (20 goals) in their ranks.

Striker, Kenesha Reid, has also been in sparkling form and has 10 goals for the four time back-to-back winners. Both strikers should get good support from captain Alicia James, Janine Dennis, Yolanda Hamilton, Nickhiema James, Trudian Mills and Phillisia Lewis.

UWI, meantime, will look to leading scorer, Sherona Forrester (eight), along with former national youth representative, Vanessa Ramsay, Trudy Ann Young, Ornella Gray, Jodian Thomas and Mauriesha Morgan, to lead them to victory.

Meanwhile, Portmore Strikers, who are seeking their first hold on the trophy since 2002, will be confident of their chances of making the final.

The St Catherine-based side has been gone unbeaten in the league in 10 matches and advanced comfortably as the top team from Zone B.

National striker, Venecia Reid, will lead the charge this afternoon and she will be supported by the likes of Iesha Mowatt, Rochelle Bryan, Nickeisha Anthony, Nadola Chase, Abigail Walker and Shawna Gaye Fearon.

Portmore’s opponent, Waterhouse, qualified for the last-four ahead of another debutante GC Foster on goal difference after both ended on 19 points in Zone A.

However, they have a squad of very talented players which will be led by the highly-rated Omolyn Davis, Jamaica’s first female professional player. She will be ably supported by Tasheka Small, Kimeisha Wilmot, Kerona Williams, Davia Morrison, Khedine Salmon, Nicola Brown and Shanise Steele.