Richard Bryan, Freelance Writer
A FOURTH straight title beckons for Holmwood Technical unless their illustrious opponents, STETHS, can pull off something spectacular from their position of 35-5 chasing 195 for victory today.
The scoreboard reads heading into the final day's play: Holmwood 171 and 122; STETHS 98 and 35-5. Victory is on the cards for one of the teams but, barring anything else, Holmwood will keep their title by virtue of attaining first innings honours.
Twenty-two wickets fell for just 202 runs yesterday as both teams faltered with the bat but the champions emerged in pole position because of a priceless 73-run first innings lead.
The prime performers of the day were the bowlers and Andre Creary who made up for his first innings' duck with an undefeated 44 in the Holmwood's second knock.
STETHS resumed at 53-3 with the hope of a fighting run at a respectable total with their two most accomplished batsmen, captain Damion Ebanks and Nickoy Samuels, at the crease.
However, not even the most astute fan on either side could have envisaged that the next seven wickets would fall for 45 runs before lunch.
EARLY STRIKES
Andre McCarthy, who had taken two wickets late on the previous afternoon, struck early removing Ebanks caught in the slips for 13 at 57-4.
Perhaps the most crucial blow came at 84-6 when Creary had Samuels caught and bowled for 18.
Unlike the Holmwood resistance from a similar position on the first day, the last four STETHS' wickets yielded only 12 runs. McCarthy was the chief destroyer with 5-31 from 30 overs.
When Holmwood batted, their batsmen were expected to consolidate, but after reaching 36 without loss, the fall of Jeffery Scott's wicket signalled a struggle against the legspin of Linton Buchanan, who claimed 6-33 off 27 overs, as they were bundled out for 122.
In a failed strategic move, STETHS began their reply with Ebanks at the top of the order, McCarthy struck three late blows while Marlon Johnson got into the act by snaring the crucial wicket of Ebanks for 16.
