Richard Bryan, Freelance Writer
Marlon Johnson, captain of the victorious Holmwood team, receives the Grace Headley Cup Trophy from ISSA Chairman Lt. Col. Errol Johnson yesterday. - CONTRIBUTED
HOLMWOOD RETAINED their Headley Cup in emphatic fashion against STETHS yesterday as the latter team caved in for 59 runs in its second innings to lose by 136 runs.
Scores: Holmwood 171 and 122; STETHS 98 and 59.
Hovering clouds and the presence of an unusually subdued handful of STETHS supporters and no visible member of their staff outside of stand-in coach Clive Ledgister, gave early indications of surrender, and the champions cornered them quickly as action lasted only 33 minutes and 54 balls.
Andre McCarthy, a member of the last regional Under 19 World Cup squad, bagged another three wickets for six in the second innings and 11 overall in the match to usher in a victory that firmly establishes Holmwood as top rural school in cricket.
FOURTH STRAIGHT VICTORY
It was the fourth straight victory against STETHS, the seventh title for Robert Lewis as coach and the ninth title overall for the Christiana-based institution which also won in 1967 and 1977.
Overnight batsman Mavrick Perry was run out by Ziggy Levy for 10 in the sixth over of the day and Marlon Johnson then trapped Makoy Ewart for a first-ball duck in the same over.
The trio of Kemoy Hanson, Jason Dawes and Linton Buchanan then merely accompanied their bats to the wicket to watch as Romaine Powell hit a six off Johnson before being caught in the deep for the joint top score of 16, with captain Damion Ebanks, who fell late on the previous afternoon.
Holmwood now turn their attention to the All-island final against Corporate Area Grace Shield champions Eltham next Tuesday at Chedwin Park.
