STETHS retain Spalding Cup after scare

Western Bureau:

St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) survived a scare from a lower-order collapse to secure a first-innings win over Wolmer’s Boys in the rain-affected Spalding Cup all-island cricket play-off in Santa Cruz yesterday.

STETHS resumed the third and final day on 97-5 chasing 167 for first-innings honours and the Headley Cup champions seemed well in control with Odane Binns (30) and Kevoni Graham (39) getting the team within six runs of their target before West Indies all-rounder Jordan Johnson inspired a collapse where the hosts lost three wickets for just five runs and were saved by the rain and lunch break at 166-9.

STETHS rallied at the resumption of play with Govasta Edmond dragging his team to 178 all-out. This came against Johnson’s five for 40 runs. He was supported by Alex Hinds (2-47) and O’mari Wedderburn (3-41).

Wolmer’s were determined to make a game of it for as long as the weather permitted as they raced to 66-0 before rain forced a stoppage of play. They saw some hope just before tea when the rain stopped and the covers came off but as they prepared to take the field once more, darker clouds loomed and brought more persistent showers that saw the match ending in a draw.

Graham, who led the fight against the spin of Wolmer’s, said he was happy he could have contributed to his team’s victory.

“It wasn’t easy because the Wolmer’s team has some pretty good bowlers. We had to fight all the way. It’s (winning) a good feeling now because last year they defeated us badly in the T20 final,” Graham said.

Coach of STETHS, Clive Ledgister, said his team has character and as a result, he believed his boys would get over the line.

“We find ourselves in winning position a lot of times and tend to make mistakes. However, the way we played this year against Manchester and May Day showed guts and character. Even though we had concerns, I believed in them and I know they believe in me,” Ledgister said.

Johnson, who bagged a five-wicket haul to give his team hope of pulling off first-innings victory, said he is disappointed the wickets came so late.

“We are disappointed because we know what we did wrong. Throughout the season fielding has been our weak area and we dropped some catches which was our downfall today,” Johnson said.

“I know what I am capable of. The captain gave me a job and my team needed me so I went out and executed. I know as a senior player I had to step up but unfortunately, it came a bit too late,” he added.