St Catherine, Wolmer's join race for final

Jermaine Lannaman, Gleaner Writer

St Catherine defeated Norman Manley by nine wickets at St John's Road on Thursday, to join defending champions Eltham High at the top of Section One, thus giving themselves a good chance of making it to the final of the urban area ISSA/Grace Shield Premier League competition.

With one round of matches to go, St Catherine are now on five points, the same as Eltham, who played out a no-result draw with Meadowbrook.

At St John's Road:
Overnight and early morning rain forced the game to start at 4:30 p.m., but not even that could have saved the visitors as, after resuming at 18-3, they were bowled out for 104 in their second innings.

Set a victory target of 12, the home team then cruised to victory for the loss of a wicket. Norman Manley made 102 in their first innings on day one, to which St Catherine replied with 193-9 declared.

At Meadowbrook:
The home team, after resuming at 62-2, were struggling at 184-7 when the rains came half hour before lunch. No play was possible thereafter.

Norman Manley now have three points heading into the final round, while Meadowbrook have two. Both teams must win outright if they are to qualify for the final.

Elsewhere, last year's beaten finalist Innswood are in a pole position to take Section Two, after claiming first innings points in their rain-aborted game against Tarrant at Tarrant.

Tarrant had resumed at 37 for five in their second innings, but a wet pitch and outfield meant that both teams had to abandon the contest. In their first innnings, they had made 96. Innswood scored 302-7 declared.

Innswood lead the section on eight points, three more than Wolmer's.

At Excelsior:
Wolmer's, who were 49-4, were forced to stay in the pavilion due to the weather. Excelsior, in their first innings, made 386-6 declared.

Excelsior, on two points and Tarrant on zero points, are both out of the race for a spot in the final.

The semi-final round continues next Thursday and Friday with St Catherine hosting Meadowbrook, Eltham entertaining Norman Manley, Innswood at home to Wolmer's and Tarrant travelling to Excelsior.