Jamaica schools and club news (27 April 1998)

April 27, 1998

Jamaica schools and club news

The Gleaner

Holmwood fancied to lift rural title Mandeville:

Richard Bryan , Freelance Writer

CRICKET: The first major schoolboy title under Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association run competitions for the 1997-98 season will be decided over today and the next two days when St. Elizabeth Technical and Holmwood square off in the final of the Headley Cup at the Alpart Sports Club. Play starts at 10.30.

In a very real sense, it is a dream final for the fans of the Central region, as the final pits two teams from the neighbouring parishes of St. Elizabeth and Manchester, and at a venue that is not only strategically central, but from which many of the players involved this morning, played their early cricket, and watched the previous school boy stars like Brian Murphy, Richard Staple, Franklyn Rose and Orville Pennant perform.

Although discussions in the run-up to today's final show support keenly divided on sentimental lines, Holmwood will begin as favourites following their impressive and devastating run all season. From seven matches to date, their opponents have only been able to amass 397 runs, with two teams failing to reach 50, and only Titchfield in the semi-finals getting over 100. No player has been able to score a half-century against their bowling attack which is centred around the pace pair of Evon McEnnis and Sean Spencer, spinners Kevin Peart, Andre Dwyer, and Ricardo Powell.

Powell is the key player for Holmwood. As team captain, Jamaica youth and senior representative, he is not only their best fielder, but at present compares with few for the title of best schoolboy batsman. He is also the only schoolboy this season to hit centuries in the quarter-finals, as well as the semi-finals.

STETHS' presence in the finals after successive Headley Cup titles in 1994, '95 and '96 owes much to their resilience and the tactical experience and motivation of respected cricket coach, Junior Bennett. After being perceived as an unlikely contender for honours, following teething early season problems, the perennial champions brushed aside an early preliminary loss to Black River, then recovered from 19 for five after being asked to bat on a wet wicket in a quarter-final encounter against Frome Technical at Frome, to score 120 and then dismissing the hosts for 71.

Their next convincing win came in the semi-finals against Ocho Rios, and although recognising the vast ammunition in Holmwood's artillery, Bennett believes that in top batsman Brenton Parchment, Christopher Ledgister, Dalwin Russell, wicket-keeper and captain Mel Wint and the experienced Kamal Dennis, STETHS have quality players to make it a final worth going miles to see.

"Cricket is a funny game. You can't call the winners until after the game. The best team of the day will win," he said.

Kensington regain lead

Defending champions Kensington assumed the lead in the ninth round of the Senior Cup cricket competition yesterday when they defeated Tivoli by an innings and 24 runs at Seprod Oval.

Despite playing without captain Robert Haynes and top batsman Wavell Hinds (both on suspensions), Kensington simply proved too good for Tivoli who were bungled out for 78 and 75. Kensington batting first made 177 (Robert Turner 93 not out; Everton Nelson five for 35, Winston Heron four for 36). Errol Wilson took five for 32 in Tivoli's first innings and Brian Murphy, three for five.

Meanwhile, two centuries were scored yesterday. Lucas' topline batsman Chris Gayle slammed an unbeaten 136 against Jamaica Defence Force at Up Park Camp and Portland's captain Robert Tulloch hit 101 not out against Police at Elletson Road.

The latest points standings are: Kensington 31 from nine matches, former leaders Melbourne who drew a bye over the weekend 29 from eight matches, St. Catherine 25 from seven, Lucas 25 from eight, Kingston 24 from eight, Portland 23 from eight, Police 18 from eight, Boys' Town 8 from eight matches, Tivoli 7 and St. Thomas 3.

At Kensington Park: Kingston defeated St. Thomas by an innings and 75 runs by noon yesterday.

Scores: Kingston 225 for two declared (Mario Ventura 102 not out with 14 fours, Raymond Ferguson 67, Trinidadian Richard Smith 53 not out). St. Thomas 63 (Melvin Aquart 19; Nehemiah Perry three for 14, Ryan Cunningham three for 20) and forced to follow on, 87 all out (Chris Morgan 26, Garnett Downie 19; left-arm spinner Ryan Cunningham six for 25 to finish with match figures of nine for 45, skipper James Adams three for five.

At Elleston Road: Portland gained first innings points from Police.

Scores: Police 187 (Orlando Baker 47, Dixeth Palmer 44, Kenute Asquith 35; legspinner Robert Tulloch four for 26, Hylton Osbourne three for 46) and 52 for two (Baker 33). Portland 251, Tulloch hitting nine fours in his unbeaten 101, Floyd Johnson 53, Clive Clarke 32, Garnet White 17; Rohan Belight three for 75, Asquith two for 38.

At Up Park Camp: Lucas collected first innings points from the JDF.

Scores: Lucas 179 off 44 overs (Andre Coley 34, Gareth Breese 31, Delroy Morgan 26, Ollistere Murphy 22 not out; Anthony Folkes 5 for 37, Warren Medwynter 4 for 44) and 266 for five declared after 57 overs (Christopher Gayle 136 not out with 12 fours off 137 balls, Delroy Morgan 62, Ollistere Murphy 30; Howard Copeland 3 for 35, Clinton Lewis 2 for 82); JDF 169 after 44.2 overs (Wayne Cuff 55, Marlon Kennedy 52; Oneil Cruickshank 3-19, Norval Britton 3-33, Gareth Breese 3 for 62) and 177 for six (Wayne Cuff 65, Clinton Lewis 42, Anthony Folkes 29; Gareth Breese 3 for 17).

KC poised to reach final

Many time champions Kingston College will be on the hunt for win number three to earn a clean sweep in Group A of the Sunlight Cup semi-finals when they oppose St. Catherine High today at Melbourne Park, Elletson Road.

In the other semi-final match-up, Waterford Comprehensive will host St. Andrew Technical (STATHS). Both matches begin at 10:30a.m. KC, after wins over Waterford and St. Andrew Technical, need only a draw to ensure their place in the Sunlight Cup final.

The North Street school will again look to Sean Cousley who scored 112 against Waterford Comprehensive in the opening round and his opening partner Kemar Duncan who has scored 42 against Waterford and 64 against STATHS to lead the batting.

KC's bowling attack is expected to be spearheaded by pacer Andrew Richardson along with spinner Kerry Scott, pacer Allistair Shermon and all rounders, captain Shane Brooks and Martin Isaacs. St. Catherine with their only victory being against STATHS, could join KC on points if captain and opening batsman Joseph Pinnock along with allrounder Bevan Brown, Edward Panther, Weston McGann and Alberto Henry report fit.

Pinnock scored an unbeaten 113 against STATHS in their opening semi-final game, while Brown in the same game, produced a career best 149.

Meanwhile, Jonathan Grant High and Wolmer's Boys completed victories over Bridgeport Comprehensive and St. George's College in their respective Group B semi-finals which ended on Saturday.

At Lime Tree Oval: Jonathan Grant High defeated Bridgeport Comprehensive by 90 runs.

Scores: Jonathan Grant 263 for nine declared after 83.4 overs (Leroy Wilson 78, Brian Lundy 49, Tamar Lambert 46, Roshane Ferron 28; Damion Douglas 3-44, Oneil McCalla 2-18, Omar Burke 2-63); Bridgeport Comprehensive 173 after 70.3 overs (Ryan Clarke 44, Omar Burke 43; Howard Walters 6-35, Leon Rodney 2-15, Andre O'Sullivan 2-31.

At Heroes Circle: Wolmer's beat St. George's College by 29 runs.

Scores: Wolmer's 169 after 68.4 overs (Donovan Pagon 113, Damion Reece 34, Carlton Baugh Jnr 27; Sheldon Smith 3-39, Ramon Hutchinson 3-58, Shacurie Wilson 3-83); St. George's College 240 (Hutchinson 73; Baugh 4-60).

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