Super Cup set for stirring finish
published: Monday | April 24, 2006

Daraine Luton, Freelance Writer

Jamaica Defence Force batsman Melvin Wallace' middle stump is sent cartwheeling by Kingston's pacer Fabian Forbes (not in picture). Wallace scored 5 as the JDF crumbled to a massive innings and 104-run defeat. - JUNIOR DOWIE/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

A HUMDINGER is on the cards this coming weekend for the Michael Holding Trophy - the crown that will be lifted by the team which wins the Supreme Ventures Super Cup.

Title gunners St. Catherine, Kingston and Manchester cricket clubs all closed in on the crown with wins yesterday in the penultimate round of games.

Kingston's 'Tigers' completed an innings and 105-run win over the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) at Sabina Park, St. Catherine beat St. Mary by an innings and 140 runs at Chedwin Park, while Manchester beat Portland by six wickets at Folly Oval.

The win for St. Catherine means they maintain their lead atop the standings on 33 points, two more than Kingston and Manchester.

At Sabina Park: The army men crumbled under the vicious firepower generated by Fabian Forbes and Jowayne Robinson.

Both pacers claimed five wickets in the JDF second innings with Forbes claiming 5-42 and Robinson 5-18. It was Forbes' game though as he ended with match figures of 12-78.

After winning the toss and fielding, the JDF found themselves chasing a mammoth 352 for first innings. However, they could only manage 146-all out at the first time at bat, missing the follow-on target by 61 runs.

At their second attempt, the JDF were bowled out before tea for 101 in 26.2 overs.

Forbes accounted for the first three batsmen - Melvin Wallace (5) bowled off the first ball after lunch, Damion Grey (1) bowled in his very next over and Mark Gray caught by Roland Holder at slip for two. The score then was 13.

Of the 10 JDF second innings wickets, four were bowled while the others were either caught behind or in the slip cordon. The best partnership of the innings was a 30-run ninth wicket stand between Anthony Folkes, who topscored with 26 and Omar Ellington who made 13.

At Chedwin Park: St. Catherine gained victory before lunch by bowling out St. Mary for 87 in their second innings. Earlier, the 'Saints' declared their innings closed on 328 for two and then ripped St. Mary apart for just 101. Following on, Odean Brown claimed 5-25 and Gavin Wallace 4-60 as St. Catherine rolled to victory.

Claudius Thompson with 31 topscored for St. Mary.

SIX-WICKET WIN

At Folly Oval: Manchester recorded a six-wicket win over Portland. Portland made 128 in their first innings to which Manchester replied with 246-7 declared. Batting a second time, the homesters fared better, making 249 with Karl Brissitte getting 99 and Emelio Reid 57. Donovan Sinclair, who denied Brissitte the century, claimed five for 56 while Stezon Patterson claimed 3-36.

Set 131 for victory, Manchester made 132-4 with Damain Sangster getting 64 and Gary Graham 45.

At Nelson Oval: Lucas won first innings points from Westmoreland in their drawn encounter.

Westmoreland batted first and made 214 all out to which Lucas replied with 277. Tarrick Cousins missed a century by three runs, while Delroy Morgan made 61 and Chadrick Walton 43 for Lucas.

Myron Wilson was West-moreland's best bowler, returning figures of 5-88. He later made a whirlwind 75 in Westmoreland's second innings 163-4. His 62-ball knock included five fours and seven sixes.