West Indies Local: Police gain edge on sticky wicket

For the second time in as many days Stansfeld Scott Police emerged with the advantage on another bowler-friendly day against CHIC Schools South.

Fourteen wickets fell for 98 runs as both teams found scoring difficult on a slow but not devilish pitch.

In such conditions, an unbroken eighth-wicket stand of 45 between captain Leslie Reifer and wicket-keeper/batsman William Callender could prove decisive, particularly if conditions are favourable for batting on the final day.

The pair came together with Police 18 for seven shortly before tea and had the schoolboys been able to work their way right through the innings, the game may have been more evenly poised.

Reifer (21 not out) and Callender (19 not out) had other plans. The pair took the lawmen to tea at 25 for seven and after Callender was put down by Franklyn Stephenson at mid-off to deny Marlon Franklyn a deserved fifth wicket, they took 32 from the next two overs bowled by Dwayne Smith (three for 25) and Franklyn (four for 34).

Reifers declaration left Schools South with the seemingly enormous task of scoring 138 for victory. The heavy showers which forced play to be abandoned with 15.3 overs remaining opened the possibilty of an exciting finish on Saturday if batting conditions are more favourable.

Earlier in the day, Police medium-pacer Alvin Campbell took two of the final four wickets after the schools resumed on 20 for six to finish with six for 25.

Marshall took the other two to end with three for 14 but it was the Combined Schools pacers who particularly impressed. Maintaining a fairly full length and a line close to off-stump, they had Police in trouble immediately the second innings started.

Stanton Proverbs tried to hit the first ball of the innings over mid-wicket and was bowled.

Off the final ball of the same over Stantons brother, Ahmed, played on to bag a pair in his first match since returning from pro duties in England.

Smith quickly joined the act as the slide continued.