Orville Clarke, Freelance Writer
AFTER LOSING first innings points to Headley Cup champions St Elizabeth Technical (STETHS) on the second day of the Spalding Cup final at Chedwin Park yesterday, Grace Shield champions Eltham played themselves back into a position to force an outright win going into the third and final day:
Scores: STETHS 125 all out (Paul Palmer Jr 45; Kavin Bonner 2-8, Shawn Headlam 2-26, Romeo Dunca 2-37) and 187 all out; Eltham 110 all out and 13 for one at the close, needing 190 to win.
Play of the day
The highlight of the day's play was an attacking innings of 89 by STETHS's left-handed opening batsman Nick Blackwood in the second innings, before he was bowled by paceman Romeo Dunca shortly after tea at 167-7. Blackwood slammed 12 fours and two sixes during 240-minute stay at the crease.
Resuming at 73 for four yesterday morning and needing only 53 runs to gain first innings points, Eltham fell 15 runs short against some tight and effective bowling from STETHS.
Shane Harris (19 overnight) was first to go, caught by Linton Buchanan off the bowling of spinner Mackoy Ewart for 28 at 92 for five and then incoming batsman Romeo Parker was caught by Richard Simpson in the deep off Ewart without scoring to make it 96 for six. When the other overnight batsman, skipper Frederick Hermitt, was caught by Ewart off the bowling of pacer Richard Simpson for 30 (three fours) at 103 for seven, the writing was on the wall.
Pacer Shawn Leslie took 3-18 off 8.4 overs, Ewart 2-19 off 12, Simpson 2-19 off 11, Linton Buchanan 1-35 and West Indies Under-19 fast bowler Jason Dawes, who was nursing a hamstring injury and bowled only three overs, 1-11.
Batting a second time before lunch, STETHS started on the wrong foot when Mackoy Ewart went caught without scoring in the first over off pacer Kavin Bonner. But Blackwood batted confidently for four hours and along with Palmer Jr. (21) with three fours and a six, number three batsman Marvarick Perry and Vaniel Broomfield (14 each) and Jason Dawes, batting with a runner, 11 not out, ensured STETHS' got a lead in excess of 200. Play resumes today at 10:00 a.m.
