Melbourne, St Thomas secure berth in final
Published:Sunday | May 1, 2016 | 12:00 AMJermaine Lannaman
Melbourne and St Thomas earned the right to contest the final of the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) Senior Cup after recording contrasting first-innings wins over University of the West Indies (UWI) and Kingston Cricket Club yesterday.
Melbourne, in their first finals appearance since 2012, overcame the challenge of UWI after scoring 274 in response to the home team's 244 at the Sir Frank Worrell Oval, UWI.
Leading the batting exploits of Melbourne was United States batsman Steven Taylor, who ended unbeaten on 138.
The left-handed strokemaker, who batted at number three and was 63 not out overnight after his team closed on 145 for one, slammed 12 fours and three sixes.
He also shared in a 179-run second-wicket stand with Guyanese opener Trevon Griffith, who added six to his overnight score of 63.
In-form national all-rounder Rovman Powell, with six wickets for 75, led the bowling for UWI, with off-spinner Horaine Linton, two for 73, providing assistance.
Batting a second time, UWI - who were contesting their first semi-final after entering the country's premier two-day tournament two seasons ago - closed on 172 for eight when stumps were drawn minutes after 5 p.m.
MASSIVE RESULT
"It's a massive result for us, having not reached the final for a while," said Melbourne captain, Nikita Miller, reacting to their win.
"We have had a good season so far and it was good to see us come here and get the better of a decent UWI team," he added.
At Goodyear Oval in St Thomas, the home team, after resuming on 178 for eight in reply to Kingston's modest first-innings total of 163, scored 190, with in-form left-arm spinner, Paul Harrison, claiming seven for 33. Captain Carlton Baugh Jr top-scored with 53.
Facing a deficit of 27, Kingston then went in chase of quick runs to try and force a result, and declared their second innings on 222 for four.
Big-hitting opener Aaron Johnson hit 62, with all-rounder Derval Green adding 59.
Set an outright victory target of 195, St Thomas closed on 112 for four.