May Day, Manchester in pole positions for Headley Cup final

REON EDWARDS fell agonisingly short of an ISSA GK Insurance Grace Headley Cup century yesterday at May Day High School as the hosts piled pressure on Clarendon College headed into the final day of their semi-final encounter.

Yesterday, Clarendon College, responding to May Day’s first-innings total of 287 all out, could only muster 156 after looking comfortable at 142 for five.

With a 131-run lead, May Day, already in the driver’s seat, ended day two on 352-9, a lead of 483 runs.

The innings was built on half-centuries from Edwards, who went caught and bowled by Danjay Larmond for 97, Christopher Lewis, who felt just as much pain when he went for 95, and Chadwick Hewitt, 81.

Larmond would end as Clarendon’s best bowler with figures of 6-92, while Dijauni West bagged three wickets at a cost of 61 runs.

Having already claimed first innings lead, May Day just need to avoid losing today to make their way into the Headley Cup final.

Over at St Elizabeth High School (STETHS), the hosts have found Manchester High School, beaten semi-finalists last year, to be a difficult opponent.

STETHS ended yesterday on 81-4, a lead of just 19 runs with six wickets intact.

On Wednesday’s first day, STETHS found the going tough against Manchester and were bowled out for 188.

Starting yesterday on 12 without loss, Manchester, propped up by Matthew Morgan’s 110, scored 250 to give themselves a 62-run lead.

On Tuesday, Morgan had helped his team bowl STETHS into trouble with his figures of 2-51.

Of course, STETHS could earn quick runs today, put Manchester in and attempt to win the game outright, but at this juncture, the many-time champions look to be ending their campaign to defend their title at the final-four stage.