Eltham's opening batsman, Shawn Harris, reacts to a short-pitched ball in the Grace Shield Premier League final against St Catherine at Chedwin Park yesterday. Harris made 50. - Junior Dowie/Staff Photographer

Defending champions Eltham are in pole position to lift their fourth title entering today's second and penultimate day of the three-day Grace Shield Premier League final against St Catherine, at Chedwin Park.

Replying to St Catherine High's 81, Eltham will resume on 186 for six.

Captain of the Eltham team, Frederick Hermit, praised his players for a wonderful day's work that has engineered a 105-run lead.

"We are more than comfortable with the day's work," said Hermit, who expressed surprise at the effectiveness of his fast bowlers.

Spinners' heaven

"The spinners were the ones getting the wickets all season, but our pacer bowlers got nine of the wickets today," he noted.

"We did not think this final would be easy as it turned out to be, but all the guys came out and did well."

Now the captain is aiming for a huge lead.

"We are targeting a lead of about 300," he said, while making it clear that "three of the four wickets we have are former openers".

Batting record

Meanwhile, Nicholas Brown, who holds the schoolboy cricket batting record of 337 in an innings, top-scored with 35 against Sanjay Watson (2-9), Kavin Banner (2-13) and Romeo Dunca (2-21).

In reply, Eltham, led by Shawn Harris 50, Joseph Dennie and Kino-Paul Sailman, 33 each, carried their team to first-innings honours. Rushane Smith with 3-31 and Sheldon Wilson 2-26 have so far taken most wickets.