Melbourne firmly on top

Incisive bowling from left-arm spinner Christopher Lamont and solid batting from all-rounder Tafari Williams yesterday gave Melbourne the upper hand against St Elizabeth in their two-day Jamaica Cricket Association Senior Cup semi-final clash at Melbourne Oval.

Lamont claimed five for 35 to help restrict the Jerome Taylor-led St Elizabeth to 111 in their first innings with the competition's leading wicket taker, Damion Jacobs, three for 32, providing best support.

Melbourne, at the close, ended on 324 for nine, for an overall lead of 213 runs, with Williams making a topscore of 73. Andre McCarthy 61 and Donovan Pagon 40 also got among the runs against left-arm spinner Linton Buchanan, five for 69, and Taylor, two for 46.

"We were let down by our batsmen, and in the field we had a few drop catches, which has really put us on the back foot. But the game is not over as yet, as we plan to fight until the end," said Taylor

McCarthy feels St Elizabeth are virtually out of the match."It's hard to see with such a big lead St Elizabeth will come back in the game, as whatever they try we will be ready," he said.