Robert Bailey and Richard Bryan, Freelance WritersMELBOURNE AND the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) were locked in a keen battle for first innings points in the opening round of the two-day Jamaica Super Cricket Cup competition at Melbourne Oval yesterday.
The JDF reached 68 for three at stumps in reply to the hosts 275 all out in 63.2 over.
Melbourne won the toss and chose to bat first and posted their score with Yannick Elliot (63 not out), Damion Henry (60) and Dwayne Thompson (42) scoring the most runs, while Mark Grey claimed an impressive 5-39 and Howard Copeland 3-48.
Mel Wint (30) and Barriston Reid (13 not out) led the way in Soldiers' reply, while Nikita Miller (2-18) and Damion Reid (1-9) were the wicket-takers.
Intriguing battle
At the Trelawny Multi-Purpose Stadium, hosts Trelawny and Westmoreland were also embroiled in an intriguing battle for first innings' honours with Trelawny reaching 86 for five in reply to the visitors' 156 in 56.2 over.
Crafton Clarke (30), Adrian Thompson (29) and Cavin Spence (24) scored the bulk of the runs for Westmoreland.
Dane Johnson took 4-28, Oral Ranking 3-68 and Dwight Washington 2-20 for Trelawny.
Lorenzo Ingram (45) had so far top scored for Trelawny.
At Kirkvine Sports Complex, scoring was painstakingly difficult and left Manchester and St. Catherine in a keen tussle for first innings honours.
At stumps, Manchester, with 152 off 63.5 overs, were in charge as St. Catherine wobbled to 80 for seven. Opener Gary Graham scored 55.
