Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter

Spurred on by Shane Powell's first innings knock of an even century, St. Elizabeth charged their way to an outright win over Westmoreland, taking over the top spot in the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) Super Cup yesterday.

Resuming at 53 for two, West-moreland, who could only manage 78 in their first innings, were bowled out for 150 runs, led by Ewan Andrews 41 not out.

With a combined first and second innings score of 228, Westmoreland were still 62 runs short of the home team's first innings total.

Ainsley Goss dominated the St. Elizabeth bowling attack, snatching figures of four for 27.

St. Elizabeth, who began the round tied with St. Catherine Cricket Club, moved to 23 points.

At Kensington Oval: Melbourne fought tooth and nail to eventually wrest away first innings points from the home team who, led by 204 from discarded West Indies player Wavell Hinds, had racked up an impressive total of 340 all out.

Caught At Boundary

After a shaky start, Damion Henry led the charge for Melbourne as he blasted his way to 111 off 165 balls. Melbourne's mainstay Henry would, however, depart with his team perilously placed at 290 for six after being caught on the boundary, looking to go over the top off the bowling of Gavaskar Brown.

Sheldon Smith, who earlier smashed a century against the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), was next in but added a mere seven runs to the total before departing with the score at 300, leaving the responsibility to tailenders Xavier Charves and Damion Reese.

The two, however, were steady at the crease and put on an eighth wicket stand of 46 to see Melbourne safely past Kensington's score to claim first innings points.

At close of play, the visitors had moved to 360 for nine. Dennis Bulli was the pick of the Kensington bowlers, ending with figures of three for 91.

At Sabina Park: Manchester fell just 14 runs short of an outright win, which would have seen them remain tied in first place, but still kept pace by getting first innings points over Kingston. Chasing a first innings total of 161, Manchester made 198 all out.

Damage

Jowayne Robinson did the damage for Kingston with three for 77. Simon Jackson took two wickets for five runs, while Paul Harrison grabbed two for 25. Batting again, Kingston, led by 58 from Robinson, were 137 all out which left the door open for Manchester. Nieve McNally took five for 28 and David Powell had three for 13.

Needing 101 for an outright win, Manchester were 87 for six at the close of play.

At Chedwin Park: Defending champions St. Catherine C.C. took first innings points from the JDF. Resuming at 80 for three, chasing 276, the JDF were bowled out for 187, with Odean Brown taking five for 49. Batting again, St. Catherine C.C. were 127 for five at close of play with Junior Stewart top scoring with 46. Mark Gray led the JDF bowling charge with two for 30.

At Nelson Oval: Trelawny took first innings points off Lucas. Resuming on 37, Lucas made 200 all out chasing 268, with Wayne Gayle top scoring with 55. Lorenzo Ingram did the damage with the ball for Trelawny, taking six for 65.

Batting again, Trelawny made 83 all out after Ransford Merchant ripped through their batting to finish with seven for 24, adding to his first innings haul of seven for 72.

At the close of play, Lucas were 91 for four, still 61 runs short of the victory target.