Innswood, Norman Manley to clash in final

Jermaine Lannaman, Gleaner Writer

The final of the urban area ISSA/Grace Shield cricket competition will be contested by defending champions Innswood High and Norman Manley High, following impressive semi-final performances yesterday.

Innswood, led by a double hundred from captain and opener Oraine Williams, defeated former champions St Jago by an innings and 451 runs at Chedwin Park, while Norman Manley defeated ISSA/First Global 'A' League runners-up Mona by an innings and 185 runs at Maxfield Park.

At Chedwin Park, the home team Innswood, led by 264 from Williams and 125 from Kemar Foster, declared their first innings at 606 for eight, shortly before tea on yesterday's second and final day.

This was in reply to St Jago's first-innings total of 84.

St Jago, batting a second time, were bowled out for 71, with leg-spinner Jermaine Bennett claiming six for 25 and left-arm spinner Stephan Casey two for four.

"It was a good performance, especially given the fact that we went into the match needing first innings to advance," said Innswood's coach, Kirk Gordon.

"It was also good to see us scoring the highest team score of the season in either the Grace Shield or Headley Cup, and the hope is that going into the final we will come out on top once again," he added.

Gordon said he was also looking forward to the final, given the fact that in the first round his team got the better of Norman Manley.

psychological edge

"Having defeated them by 190-odd runs in the first round, I think we will have a psychological edge and I am looking forward to us capitalising on this," he said.

At Maxfield Park, Norman Manley, on the back of 158 from Kerron Edwards and 123 from Curtis Blair, declared at their overnight score of 435 for nine when play resumed yesterday morning.

This was in response to Mona High's first-innings score of 106. Mona, batting a second time, were then bundled out for 144.

Leading the way for Norman Manley was off-spinner Joseph Bucknor who, after claiming four for 34 in the first innings, returned to claim four for 33 in the second.

"It was an excellent performance," said Norman Manley's coach, Karl Stephens.

"Our batsmen gave us runs and the bowlers did well. We are now looking forward to the final."

He added: "They (Innswood) defeated us in the first round, but were are not dealing with the past, we are dealing with the present and will be putting our best foot forward."