STETHS march on... defending champs progress to next round without defeat

Richard Bryan, Gleaner Writer

Defending Headley Cup champions St Elizabeth Technical (STETHS), as expected, progressed to the second round of the rural area cricket competition after closing out their parish preliminary-round obligations with a draw against Munro College, to end the round without suffering defeat.

STETHS accumulated 27 points, courtesy of five wins and a draw, to once again establish a claim for full honours in this competition. Their victories came fairly easily against Newell, who they dismissed by 10 wickets after chasing 85; BB Coke by seven wickets after requiring 101; Maggotty by eight wickets after bowling them out for 76, and Black River by nine wickets after knocking them off 71. In the lone game in which they batted first, they posted 241-5 against Lacovia before going on to win by 122 runs.

Batting practice

Entering the final group match on Tuesday against Munro, STETHS opted for batting practice and eventually closed their innings on 395-7 before limiting Munro, who needed victory to advance, to 114 -3.

The highlight of the day was the innings of Donavon Nelson, who smashed his first century in his four years of representing STETHS, an attacking, unbeaten 121.

Nelson, a national player and the team's key bowler, better known as a reliable late-order player, took on the role of aggressor and main team scorer after STETHS had encountered some discomfort at 175-5. Opener Desmond Jones had compiled 74 and captain Paul Palmer Jr 41.

Although coach Clive Legister told The Gleaner he would have had no fears defending a total in excess of 200, Nelson's innings ensured his team got meaningful batting practice ahead of the more difficult second round, which now involves play over two days.

Not surprised

"Most of the games we chased so most of our batters weren't getting enough opportunities, so it was good for us that he (Nelson) stood around for the team," said Legister.

Legister said he was not surprised at the competence shown and the extent of the innings.

"I always knew he could bat as he made 60-odd at Chedwin Park in the final two years ago," Legister informed.

"I am sure he could turn in at a higher order if he were at another school, he would not be batting at number seven," he added.

It was not unusual for a specialist bowler within his team to make runs, pointing to a century by another leg-spinner, Casius Burton Jr, in the earlier knockout competition which STETHS won handsomely over Holmwood in the final.