Manchester grab advantage vs holders STETHS in Headley Cup semis
May Day in total command against Clarendon College
SANTA CRUZ, St Elizabeth — Former champions Manchester High hold a dominant top hand over 2023 winners St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) entering Friday’s last day of the Inter-secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA)/Grace Headley Cup semi-finals at the STETHS Sports Complex.
Opener Matthew Morgan led the way with a delightful century (111) as Manchester High battled to 250 all out on Thursday in reply to STETHS 188 — a first-innings lead of 62.
Batting a second time, STETHS were staggering at 29 for 4 against the pace of Jahdae Moore (2-18) and Rhevon Morgan (2-18) before recovering to reach 81 for 4 when stumps were drawn in Santa Cruz.
St Elizabeth Technical have an overall lead of 19 runs with six second-innings wickets intact.
STETHS captain and Jamaica youth batsman Tyriek Bryan, unbeaten on 46, and first-innings top-scorer Kevoni Graham, on 19, are to resume the fight for the hosts on Friday, having already shared a stand of 52 for the fifth wicket.
Earlier, Morgan, a well organised right hander and a member of the current Jamaica Under-19 training squad, stroked 10 fours and a six in his 186-ball knock.
He shared an 83-run, third-wicket partnership with Manchester High skipper and Jamaica Under-19 Captain Brian Barnes (37) to keep STETHS at bay.
Pajay Nelson (23) was the next best scorer for Manchester High against STETHS pacer Jahliel Smith (4-22).
In the other ISSA/Grace Headley Cup semi-final contest, May Day High School were in touching distance of a place in the final at the close of day two against Clarendon College at May Day High.
May Day High will enter Friday’s third and last day on a second-innings 352-9 — a monumental overall lead of 483 runs.
Scores: May Day 287 and 352-9; Clarendon College 156.
Resuming on Thursday at 62 for two, Clarendon College fell away quickly with only Kenardo Cameron (41) showing strong resistance to spinners Chadwick Hewitt (4-17) and Chris Lewis (3-31) as well as Jamaica Under-19 pacer Nashane Mead (3-37).
West Indies Under-19 all-rounder Reon Edwards then slammed 97, Lewis hit 95 and Hewitt added 81 to take May Day High to their impregnable position at day’s end.