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Innswood retain shield

Published:Thursday | April 14, 2011 | 12:00 AM
Norman Manley High School's opener Nicholas Hamilton (centre) is clean bowled by Innswood High's Stephan Casey (out of picture), during the final of the ISSA/Grace Shield cricket competition at Melbourne Oval yesterday, as wicketkeeper Terrence Brown (left) and Marshell Marsh at slip look on. Innswood won by eight wickets. - Ian Allen/Photographer

Jermaine Lannaman, Gleaner Writer

Innswood claimed a second successive hold on the urban area ISSA/Grace Shield, when they defeated Norman Manley High by eight wickets in the final at Melbourne Oval yesterday.

The boys from St Catherine, who will now go on to represent the urban area in next week's ISSA/Spalding Cup all-island final, roared to victory on what was the second day of the scheduled three-day affair, after dismissing Norman Manley for 141 and 100, and replying with 156 and 86 for two.

Leading the way for the champions was former national Under-19 opener Peat Salmon, who claimed six for 35 with his off-spinners to bowl out Norman Manley in their second innings. Jermaine Bennett took three for 26, while Curtis Blair (35) and Omar Nathan (24) scored most runs.

jubilant fans

He then later returned to make 29 and share in a 54-run opening stand with captain Oraine Williams, who made 24, as Innswood cruised to their target, much to delight of their jubilant fans, who blew whistles, waved flags and ran on to the field.

"This victory really means a lot us as this year the school is celebrating its 10th anniversary and, as a tribute, our aim is to win all three trophies that are available to us, including the knockout and the all-island Spalding Cup," said Innswood's coach, Kirk Gordon.

"It was a hard-fought victory, but I always knew we had it in us to pull through, and I would like to thank our bowlers particularly for making it happen."

Norman Manley's coach, Karl Stephens, pointed to poor batting for his team's downfall.

"We played fairly well in the first innings ... any team could have won it. However, we needed to bat well in the second innings and we didn't and that pretty much put an end to the match," he said.