Anthony Foster, Freelance WriterKINGSTON AND Manchester are locked in a tight battle for first innings honours entering today's final day of their Supreme Ventures Challenge Trophy semi-final at Kensington Park.
Scores: Kingston 252; Manchester 171 for four.
Batting first, Kingston got off to a reasonable start with Simon Jackson, 15, and Duran White, 16, both former national youth players, putting on 32 for the first wicket.
However, within half an hour, Kingston slipped to 63-4 as, apart from the dismissal of both openers, Jamie Trenchfield, 17, and Brian Latore, one, did not last long.
Former West Indies and Barbados' player Roland Holder, 42, and veteran Nehemiah Perry, 81, revived the Kingston Tigers' innings with a 57-run fifth wicket stand.
BIG PARTNERSHIP
However, after Holder's dismissal, Perry, who was 22 at the time, was joined by his captain Kerry Scott (64) and the two featured in the biggest partnership of the match to date, adding 123 for the sixth wicket.
Kingston slumped again after Perry and Scott were dismissed, losing their last five wickets for nine runs.
Perry struck eight fours and one six off 160 balls while Scott hit 11 fours and one six off 121 deliveries.
Stevon Patterson was Manchester's best bowler taking 4-54. He was supported by Damaine Sangster (3-34) and Andre Dwyer (3-54).
STRUGGLING
In reply, Manchester were struggling when Andrew Richardson removed Gary Graham, one, and Daniel Ricketts, zero, to have them at 9-2.
However, Donovan Sinclair, who struck 40, and former national player Orville Pennant, who will resume this morning on 93, added 114 for the third wicket.
Sinclair, who hit three fours and two sixes, and Pennant, whose 50 came off just 27 balls, were hitting the ball all around the ground.
Sinclair was eventually dismissed caught in the deep trying to hit Perry out of the ground. His dismal brought Sangster, who is on 16, to the crease.
Sangster, who was put down by Holder on 13, and Pennant have added 28 runs. Today's action will begin at 10:00 a.m.
