Delicate balance in final

Jermaine Lannaman, Gleaner Writer

It is still anybody's game heading into today's second and final day of the final of the urban area ISSA/First Global 'A' League cricket competition between Meadowbrook and Tarrant High at Melbourne Oval.

Sent in to bat, Meadowbrook posted a respectable 198 in their first innings, and in reply favourites Tarrant were in a precarious position of 54-4 when stumps were drawn.

With first innings likely to decide the game, Meadow-brook thus need six wickets, and Tarrant another 155 runs, to claim victory.

"It was quite a competitive day, one in which we started off badly, but the true Meadow-brook spirit came to fore and we are now in a fairly good position," said Meadowbrook co-coach Donat Gordon.

"The game will not be won, however, until the final ball is bowled, as Tarrant will not give the game to us, so we will have to come and bowl well on the final day," he added.

Struggling

Meadowbrook, who were at one stage struggling at 67-5, recovered to set their total, thanks to a responsible knock of 58 from national Under-19 pacer Jermaine Cole, and 51 from middle-order batsman Adrian Smith.

Shawn Davis, 22, and Romario Tomlin, 20, also made useful contributions.

Tarrant, in the meanwhile, were led in the field by pacer Ryan Edwards, 3-43, and left-arm spinner Ramon Barracks, 3-53, and when they batted only Edwards, 26 not out, offered any resistance.

"It was a good day's play. We lost a few wickets towards the end, but we are trying to consolidate, and I am still confident that we can get 198. We just have to occupy the crease and the runs will come," said Tarrant coach, Recardo Bryan.

Play will resume today at 10 a.m.