KINGSTON Wharves Limited and National Commercial Bank (NCB) were crowned Division One and Division Two champions, respectively, in the 2014 National Association of Domino Bodies (NADB) Kingston & St Andrew Region/Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum Business House League at the National Housing Trust (NHT) Car Park last Friday.

Kingston Wharves created history when they defeated defending champions Seprod Limited 99-96 in the final to become the first team to win both the Knockout and League titles in the same year.

Meanwhile, NCB easily brushed aside Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) 137-120 for their win. Both NCB and BOJ advanced to the Division One league for reaching the final.

Kingston Wharves received $30,000 for winning the league, while Seprod Limited pocketed $20,000 for their effort. NCB walked away with $25,000 for winning Division Two, and BOJ received $15,000 as the runners-up.

Berger Paints Jamaica Limited edged Gleaner Company 87-86 in the third-place play-off in Division One, and the Ministry of Finance claimed third place in the lower division with an 83-52 spanking of Pepsi-Cola Jamaica.

Kingston Wharves’ pair of Rohan ‘Guy Fox’ Dixon and Fred ‘Teddy’ Thomas were named Most Valuable Players (MVP) for Division One, and NCB’s pair of Tahir Gallow and Kirk Patrick were the MVPs for the lower division.

As expected, the final in Division One went down to the wire. From the opening whistle both teams went neck and neck, as neither team gave anything away, but it was the men from Kingston Wharves who came out with a 55-50 lead at half-time.

The second half started at the same tempo as the first, before Seprod Limited eventually managed to eke out an 81-75 lead with just over half-an-hour left on the clock.

Kingston Wharves responded to their supporters’ cheering and produced a late surge to overhaul their opponents and emerge 99-96 winners on a well-supported night.

Kingston Wharves’ captain Everton Thomas said he was happy with the way his team played.

“We have fought hard this season and are immensely happy to have won both the Knockout and League titles, more so against the defending champions. Seprod played well and were formidable opponents, but Kingston Wharves’ team synergy and preparation for the match yielded the results we expected,” Thomas said.

Thomas thanked the supporters for believing in the team.

“Our supporters have been with us since we set out on the road as they came out in full force tonight (Friday) to keep us focused and motivated and that gave us the extra boost in the final minutes to win this championship, and for that I say thank you.”

But it was a bittersweet victory for Kingston Wharves, according to top player Rohan ‘Super Coolie’ Meghoo.

“I didn’t like how the match was played, the game was not monitored properly as the judges were giving the benefit of the doubt in favour of the Seprod team.

“We got too many yellow cards for offences that we have not done and that was not right, but it was a great win for us; I am happy with the victory,” Meghoo told the Jamaica Observer.

In the lower division, as predicted, NCB emerged easy winners over BOJ.

NCB dominated the game from start to finish, taking a 68-62 lead in the first half.

BOJ came out more focused and composed in the second half and managed to put some pressure on NCB when they tightened the screws in trailing 101-100 with less than 30 minutes to go. But NCB proved their class and ran away with the championships with a 137-120 whipping of BOJ.

Sasha-Gay Johnson, NCB’s captain, said that she was happy with her team’s performance.

“It was a good win and I believe that the team played excellent as we stuck to our game plan; the guys really came out and stepped up to the plate. BOJ is a good team and they also played well as the match was competitive throughout,” said Johnson.

Meanwhile, NADB’s first vice-president said that the league was a success.

“The league has been a tremendous one, full of excitement and fun. Everything turned out great and as expected. Our aim was met in bringing everyone together and to expand domino throughout the companies,” Davis said.

Davis thanked Wray & Nephew Limited for its support in putting on the championships.

“Wray & Nephew has been on board with us for some time now and I thank them for what they are doing and for their continual support to the league. Without them this league would not have been possible, and for that alone I say thank you.

“I also want to thank the Jamaica Observer for their great coverage of the tournament,” ended Davis.