Campion College's Brad Gillings (left) appeals successfully for the dismisal of Calabar High's Jodeci Gordon during the ISSA First Global Urban Area 'A' League final at Melbourne Oval yesterday. Gillings claimed 4-50 as Calabar were dismissed for 194. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

Campion College look set to lift their first cricket title in 20 years as, replying to Calabar's first innings total of 194, the boys from the Matilda's Corner-based institution were 123-3 at the end of the first day of their two-day ISSA First Global Bank Urban Area 'A' League final at Melbourne Oval.

Brandon King, 54, and Jon Hemmings, 25, are the not-out batsmen for Campion, who with 72 runs needed to claim first innings, could cop their first Under-19 title since 1989 when, led by former Jamaica spinner Carlton Carter, they won the Tappin Cup Knockout.

Confident

"I think we are in the ascendancy right now," said Leon Campbell in a confident tone. "With 70-odd runs to get and seven wickets in hand, I think we can get the runs required as we have batting right down to number 11."

Campion's strong position is a result of an unbroken half-century (59-run) fourth-wicket stand between King and Hemmings, who came to the wicket with Campion reeling at 64-3.

Good chance

"I think we are still in with a fairly good chance. We just have to come tomorrow (today) and put the ball in the right areas and bowl accurately as we don't know how the pitch is going to play," said Lewin Williams, the coach of Calabar.

Earlier, when Calabar batted, King, bowling off-spin, claimed 6-45, and pacer Brad Gillings 4-50 as Calabar, from a position of strength at 172-3, capsized. They lost their last seven wickets for 22 runs with opener Richard Gustavus getting 86 and number-three batsman Mario Grant, 46.

Play resumes today at 10 a.m.