Former Division Two champions Petrojam’s chances of making it into the quarter-finals have become slim after they went down 112-120 to former Division One champions Kingston Wharves in round seven of competition last Friday.

Needing to win to book their place into the next round of the 2018 National Association of Domino Bodies (NADB) Kingston & St Andrew Region/Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum Business House Division One League, Petrojam found the going tough against Kingston Wharves and crashed to their fourth defeat of the season.

With the loss, Petrojam occupy fourth position in Zone A on 37 points, while Kingston Wharves, who had already qualified for the next round, lead the five-team table on 53.

Also in a spot of bother to make it into the next round are Wray & Nephew Limited and Urban Development Corporation (UDC). In their cross-zone encounter, Wray & Nephew Limited were edged 113-114 by Ministry of Finance (MOF), with the latter qualifying from their zone with the win.

UDC, in a well-needed victory to keep their hopes alive, whipped Jamaica Observer 114-86 in their match. However, Jamaica Observer, who had already qualified for the next round, are in second position on 43 points, with Wray & Nephew Limited next on 39 points, while UDC are at the bottom of the table on 36 points.

All three teams — Wray & Nephew Limited, UDC and Petrojam — will have to win their final zone matches to be guaranteed places in the next round.

Over in Zone B, Jamaica Urban Transit Company (JUTC) and National Commercial Bank (NCB) are the only teams fighting for quarter-final spots. JUTC defeated NCB 121-80 to keep their chances alive as the former are in last spot on the chart, with 23 points, and must win their final match and hope NCB lose for them to move on. NCB are in fourth spot on 26 points. Champions Campari, who lead the standing on 53 points, got the better of second-place Seprod (43 points) 115-111.

In the lower division, Gleaner remained unbeaten after ripping the roofs from National Housing Trust (NHT) with a 11-98 win; Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) defeated General Accident 124-118; Stewart’s Auto Parts went down 113-151 to Sagicor Jamaica; Digicel lost their way 110-115 to Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ); and Kris an Charles whipped Jamaica Customs Agency 143-114.

Gleaner, NHT, BOJ, Stewart’s Auto Parts, Sagicor Jamaica: Digicel, PAJ and Kris an Charles have all qualified for the next round.

Round eight continues today with a full slate of matches in both divisions.

In Division One, Wray & Nephew Limited host UDC at 473 Spanish Town Road in what is a must-win for the visitors; Petrojam travel to 40-42 1/2 Beechwood Avenue to face Jamaica Observer in a crucial match for the visitors; Campari welcome Kingston Wharves at 473 Spainsh Town Road; JUTC will be on the road ina must-win game against MOF at 30 National Heroes’ Circle and NCB, knowing a win against Seprod will ensure a safe passage to the next round, entertain their opponents at the Wellness and Recreation Centre at 9-15 Phoenix Avenue in Kingston.

In Division Two, Sagicor Jamaica host General Accident at 28-48 Barbados Avenue in Kingston; Stewart’s Auto Parts welcome Kris an Charles at 49 1/2 South Camp Road in Kingston; BOJ travel to 7 North Street to face Gleaner; NHT are on the road to PAJ at Water Lane, and Digicel entertain Jamaica Customs Agency at 14 Ocean Boulevard, Kingston Mall.

All matches are scheduled to begin at 6:30 pm.

— Ruddy Allen