Senior Cup: Garvey double ton puts Kingston into quarters

Former Jamaica youth batsman Garth Garvey believes concentration was the key during his knock of 212, which guided Kingston CC to an innings and 299 runs win over Portland CA at Sabina Park and into the semi-finals of the two-day Jamaica Cricket Association Senior Cup yesterday.

The encounter, which was one of four quarter-final match-ups played at the weekend, saw Garvey's second double century serving as the backbone of his team's commanding first-innings total of 534.

Captain Brandon King, with 104, his second of the campaign, also provided assistance.

This was in response to 111 made by Portland in their first innings. Batting a second time, the men from the east were bowled out for 124.

WEAK OPPOSITION

"The opposition was not the strongest, but one still had to focus and show application,'' said Garvey, who, in the group stages, scored 245 and 196.

"It was also good to see other players getting some runs as well, as heading into the semi-finals, we will need everybody to chip in."'

Portland, in their first innings, were shot down by West Indies 'A' fast bowler, Marquino Mindley, who claimed five for 35, and in-form left-arm spinner, Paul Harrison, two for 17. This was against Kern Duckett, who made 32.

Harrison, a former Jamaica trials invitee, also proved hot to handle in the second innings, finishing with four for 35.

Elsewhere, the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), seeking to reclaim the title, moved one step closer to doing so when they overcame the challenge of national one-day champions St Catherine CC by seven wickets at Up Park Camp.

St Catherine were first dismissed for 127 in their first innings following a claim of five for 32 from left-arm orthodox spinner Shamari Brown. National batsman and captain Oraine Williams scored 37.

The JDF, in response, narrowly claimed first-innings honours by scoring 140 on the back of 55 from spinner Dennis Bulli. Off-spinner Bevon Brown took four for 66

St Catherine, in their second innings, were then dismissed for 170 courtesy of another solid bowling spell from Shamari Brown and four for 35 from Bulli. Brown scored 25 and Williams 26.

The army men in their victory pursuits closed on 159 for three, with the experienced Joseph Palmer scoring an unbeaten 74 and captain Mark Gray, 27 not out.

In yesterday's other results, Melbourne defeated St Ann on first-innings points, as did the GC Foster College over in Westmoreland.