Munro take title

Richard Bryan, Gleaner Writer

Munro College defeated St Elizabeth Technical by three wickets yesterday to take the Grace/Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association rural cricket Under-14 title.

The 30-over contest proved a nervous experience for both sides, with the hosts STETHS mustering just 65 in 16 overs, after they were asked to take first strike. From the moment they lost their first wicket at six, it was a constant struggle. Two more wickets fell with the score on 17, and it was 33 for five when top scorer Michael Simpson strode to the wicket.

Failing to make an impact were captain Michael Frew and Tommy Levy, who both struck half-centuries in the easy semi-final victory over Manchester High a week earlier. Simpson's 20 not out saved considerable embarrassment as three wickets fell with the score on 53.

Off-spinner David Curtis snared five for 14 off three overs, while STETHS also self-destructed, losing three wickets via the run-out route.

Munro looked like making it an easy run chase until they lost three wickets with the score on 22. At 38 for six it was anybody's game and, like STETHS, they also appeared bitten by the nerves bug as they lost three wickets via the run-out route. Captain Phillip Ebanks helped out with 10, but it was Gino Sellars' lower-order innings of 19 not out which took them home with three and a half overs remaining of their allocation of 30.

Crushing loss

The loss seemed a crushing one for the hosts as it dented their plan to end the season on a high, in which they had been to five finals and won three. The three victories came in the knockout competition at the start of the season, the Headley Cup and the all-island Spalding Cup. The previous finals defeat came in the Under-16 when they were beaten by Manchester High.

Quite interestingly, Munro were coached by Tedroy Bromfield, a former Headley Cup winner from STETHS. It was also the second time they were defeating STETHS this season, having won the preliminary-round game that was hosted in Malvern.