Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer

MELBOURNE WILL have to wait until tomorrow to know who they will play in the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) All-Island limited-overs final after the battle of the security forces ended in a tie at Kensington Park yesterday.

In what turned out to be a close and exciting contest, Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) and Police both were dismissed for 180 and, to add to the interest or confusion, both fell in 49.3 overs.

The situation left many in doubt of the outcome. Some called for a replay, while others were calling for run rate based on preliminary-round results to decide the outcome.

If the preliminary rounds come in to play, which looks likely, the Police would be head and shoulders ahead of the Soldiers.

While being cautious commenting about the situation, Courtney Francis, assistant chief cricket officer at the JCA, said a decision on who will face Melbourne in this weekend's final would not be decided until tomorrow.

"When I get the data together, I will submit it to the competition and complaints committee, from which a decision will be reached," Francis said.

Stick position

In the match, the JDF recovered from 76 for seven, thanks to a 73-run ninth wicket stand between Akhbar Moodie, 49 (5x4, 1x6) and Kamal Dennis, 28 (2x4, 2x6), to get a respective total. Kemar Anderson took 3-24 and Sheldon Cottrell 2-30.

At their turn at bat, Police also found themselves in a sticky position, this time Dennis's magic with the ball removed Anderson (17), Odane Wycham and Denroy Savage with successive deliveries to leave them 119 for seven.

However, Renford Bodie, who made 52, and Dwayne Sinclair, 17, threatened to take the game away from JDF with a 59-run eighth-wicket stand. It came down to three runs from the final over but, with one wicket in hand, things would not be easy. And in the end, Cottrell went for a run and found himself short .

At Chedwin Park, Donovan Pagon scored an unbeaten 85 to lead Melbourne to a nine-wicket win over Manchester.

Pagon scored 85 as, supported by Dwayne Thompson's 22 not out, Melbourne raced to their meagre target of 120 for one in 20 overs.

Earlier, Nikita Miller, fresh from league cricket in England, took 4-40 and Damion Jacobs 3-18 as they helped dismiss Manchester for 119 in 36 overs.