Gwaan Chester…tek down dem STETHS yutes

May Day, Manchester hold sway in Headley Cup semis

May Day High held a stranglehold over Clarendon College, while Manchester High held the upper hand on St. Elizabeth High (STETHS) in the semi-finals of the ISSA/GK Insurance Grace Headley Cup.

At lunch on today’s second day at May Day, the hosts dismissed Clarendon College for 156 after they had posted 287 on yesterday’s opening day.

Meanwhile, at STETHS, Manchester were 139 for two, replying to the hosts' 188, made yesterday. Matthew Morgan on 62 and Brian Barnes on 37 were leading Manchester’s reply.

Meanwhile, at STETHS, the hosts lead Manchester by 19 runs in their second time at the crease as they were 81 for four at the close. STETHS had earlier dismissed Manchester for 250, in reply to 188. Matthew Morgan topscored for Manchester with 110.

It will be an all Manchester final for this year's ISSA Grace Headley Cup competition after Manchester High toppled holders St Elizabeth Technical, while May Day High made their way into consecutive finals.

STETHS after conceding first innings points, resumed their second innings at 81-4 and got useful contributions from Kevoni Graham 71, and captain Tyriek Bryan 58 lifted the Santa Cruz-based team to 221 all out.

Jahdae Moore and Matthew Morgan had three wickets each, while Rhevon Morgan claimed 2-29 for Manchester.

West Indies Under-19 representative Deshaun James then created chaos for the visitors, as he ripped through the top order to leave them tottering at 8-4.

However, Matthew Morgan followed up his first innings century with an unbeaten 61 and along with Pajay Nelson 58, brought Manchester to 142-5 before rain forced play to be called off. Morgan and Nelson shared in a 132 run fifth wicket stand.

Former champions Manchester High had a firm grip at close on the opening day of the 2024 three-day rural area ISSA/Grace Headley Cup final against May Day High.

When stumps were drawn at Manchester High School on Wednesday, May Day were teetering on 118-9 in their first-innings reply to Manchester’s 219 to trail by 101 runs with only one wicket in hand.

Scores: Manchester 219 (58.2 overs); May Day 118-9 (33 overs)

Philando Whytle and Glenville Miller are the not out batsmen for May Day, on one and zero, respectively. Chadwick Hewitt has top-scored so far with 55 against Manchester High’s Rhevon Morgan (4-17).

Earlier Manchester won the toss and chose to bat first with Pajay Nelson leading the way with 67, while Matthew Morgan, who starred with knocks of 111 and 61 not out in last week’s semi-final against St Elizabeth Technical, supported with 46.