Melbourne set up Senior Cup Final with JDF

Title-holders Melbourne and dethroned champions Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) will meet in the final of the Jamaica Cricket Association Senior Cup after both teams registered convincing victories in semi-final action yesterday.

Melbourne, buoyed by centuries from Jamaica Scorpions batsmen, Guyanese Trevon Griffiths and Tarique White, and a five-wicket haul from left-arm spinner Christopher Lamont, defeated Kingston Cricket Club on first-innings point at Chedwin Park.

Whereas, the JDF, spurred on by an unbeaten hundred from fast-bowling all-rounder Leighton Leslie, overcame the challenge of a spirited Westmoreland, also on first innings, at Sabina Park.

Melbourne, who posted imposing first-innings total of 415 for eight declared on day one and had Kingston on the limp at nine for two, picked up where they left off and went on to bowl out their opposition for 160.

Leading the way for the men from Courtney Walsh Drive was Lamont, who, bowling his leg-spinners, claimed four for 53.

MOST RUNS

National middle-order batsman Fabian Allen, 48 not out, opener Jevaughn Buchanan, 32, and captain Brandon King, 22, made the most runs for Kingston.

Opener Garth Garvey, the competition's top runs-getter, fell for three on the opening day, while national all-rounder Derval Green, scored two.

The Nikita Miller-captained Melbourne, batting a second, then reached 153 for nine before play was called off. Andre McCarthy, 75, and White, 20, top scored against pace all-rounder Odean Smith, three for 39, and Jevaughn Buchanan, three for 22.

Meanwhile, over at Sabina Park, the JDF, after resuming in a precarious position of 139 for six in chase of Westmoreland's modest first-innings total of 213, went on to score 297, courtesy of Leslie.

The former national four-day trials invitee was best supported by Joseph Palmer, 37; fellow seamer Sheldon Cottrell, 30; Captain Ramaal Lewis, four for 89; and off-spinner Raffi Spencer, two for 48, claimed most wickets.

Facing a deficit of 84, Westmoreland, in their second time at bat, were 132 for five when time was called.

Former national youth batsman Shahid Crooks, 43, and Nick Blackwood, 32, collated most runs. The final is set for next weekend.