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For ten successive years, the Division 1 cricket match between the two Combined Schools teams has been a minor, insignificant contest between teams languishing at the bottom of the table.

Not so today, however.

Schools South and Schools North, both sponsored by Caribbean Home Insurance, go to Harrison College among the front-running teams in one of two key matches in the fourth series of the Courts/Suzuki Division 1 championship.

And for only the second time since 1989 when the Combined Schools were split, both will be at full strength.

With the exception of 1994, both sides were always missing key players on duty with the Barbados team in the annual Nortel West Indies youth championship.

This year, Barbados host the tournament and today's match, which Schools South coach Darnley Boxill is calling a ``derby'' will serve as ideal preparation for the regional competition starting on July 13.

Schools South are joint Division 1 leaders for the first time ever, their 14 points coming from gaining first innings lead against BNB St. Catherine and Mount Gay Maple and beating BCL, their first win in 69 matches, the last dating back to 1993.

Over the years, Schools North have always been competitive and their success this season is no surprise. They are just two points adrift of Schools South, defending champions Police and ICB Empire.

It is significant to note that all but two of the 14-member Barbados youth squad are featuring in either Schools South or North and Boxill, who is also Barbados manager, knows exactly why both teams are having a fine season.

``It's not only been the success of the South, but the North as well. There has been a greater consistency in the performances of both teams,'' he told the SUN On Saturday.

``The guys have been working much longer periods – both teams. We started a programme in January where we had the various age-group levels working.''

There were as many as 50 players training with four coaches, he pointed out.

``We were able to keep them together and that has paid great dividends.

``That has been the major difference, rather than just a few weeks of practice before the season and hoping for the best. That sort of extended period of work contributed significantly to the improvement.''

Both sides have achieved their results on the strength of an overall team effort, atlthough Ryan Hinds and Callitos Lopez have stood out for Schools North while Ryan Austin and Jedson Yarde have do so for Schools South.

The other feature match in this series is the clash at Bank Hall where Empire are hosting Cable & Wireless BET. In the other matches, BCL oppose Big B Spartan at Blenheim ``A''; Maple play Banks at Trents; St. Catherine are up against Police at Bayfield; Cockspur Wanderers host ESA Field Pickwick at Dayrells Road; and Dewars White Label YMPC meet United Carlton at Black Rock.

Standings:StandingsSchools South 14, Police 14, Empire 14, Schools North 12, Pickwick 12, Cable & Wireless BET 10, St. Catherine 7, Spartan 5, wanderers 5, Maple 5, BCL 3, Carlton 2, Banks 1.