Innswood, Norman Manley in title clash

Jermaine Lannaman, Gleaner Writer

The battle for the right to be called 2011 urban ISSA/Grace Shield champions will be at stake over the next three days when defending champions Innswood and Norman Manley High meet in the final at Melbourne Oval, starting today.

A showdown between two teams who have so far notched up contrasting records, the game will see the Kirk Gordon-coached Innswood gunning for their second title, while for the Karl Stephens-conditioned Norman Manley, their aim will be to lift the coveted title for the first time since 2003.

"They (Innswood) defeated us in the first round, but we are not dealing with the past, we are dealing with the present, and as such, will be putting our best foot forward in the final," said Stephens.

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Norman Manley, who in reaching the final got the better of Spanish Town, Calabar and Mona, will look to the in-form Kerron Edwards and Curtis Blair to lead their batting and off-spinner Joseph Bucknor to spearhead their bowling equivalent.

Edwards and Blair made 158 and 123, respectively, and Bucknor ended with match figures of seven for 67 in Norman Manley's last semi-final-round game against Mona.

Innswood, on the other hand, who turned back the challenges of Wolmer's, St George's and St Jago in their semi-final round group, will pin their batting hopes on former national Under-19 batsmen Oraine Williams and Peat Salmon, and national Under-19 invitee Kemar Foster.

Williams made 264 and Foster 125 in Innswood's last fixture against St Jago.

"Having defeated Norman Manley by 190-odd runs in the preliminary round, I think we will have a psychological edge heading into the final," said Gordon.

"I am looking forward to us capitalising on this and win what we hope will be the first of three trophies that we hope to take this season," he added.

Innswood are also the urban Jamaica International Insurance Company Knockout champions.