ACTION is expected to be keenly contested as the semi-finals of the 2014 Berger Paints/Netball Jamaica Elite League will get underway this afternoon with a double-header at the Montego Bay Community College in St James.

The first game between Kingston Humming Birds and Manchester Spurs is scheduled to begin at 2:00, while St James Sharpes will take on St Catherine Racers 4:30.

Kingston Humming Birds topped the preliminary round and should be the hot favourites to play in the best-of-three finals.

The Birds could find the going much tougher as their opponents will be looking to avenge the defeat.

Humming Birds have a very strong line-up that includes shooters Elaine Davis and Thristina Harwood, Peta-Gay Thomas, Kerry-Ann Brown, Kimesha Sterling, Sade Ffrench and Nicole Cousins.

However, they will be relying heavily on former national captain and shooter Davis to score majority of their goals if they are to be successful today against their opponents.

Meanwhile, national player Shantal Slater is the Spurs’ leading scorer and will have to be at her best, but will need the support of Nicole Dixon to get the better of their opponents. Additional support should come from Nickeisha Chon, Zonasha Hinds and Antoinette Stone.

St Catherine Racers will be looking to get the better of St James Sharpes in what is expected to be a ding-dong tussle.

The Racers’ shooters Anna-Kay Griffiths and Sabrina Spence will have a lot on their shoulders and will need the support of attacking players Khadijah Williams, Tamara Hylton, while Samantha White, Tashike Salmon should hold off the opposing shooters.

For the Sharpes to come out victorious, they will be relying on shooters Shannika Watson and Karissa Kessna, but more attacking plays should come from Paula Thompson, Jodian Bukle, Shelly-Ann Davis and Shamera Sterling.