SimpsonRichard Bryan, Freelance Writer
MANDEVILLE
THE 2002 renewal of the WILCO sponsored ISSA Headley Cup bowls off this morning with action involving 69 teams drawn in Zones A to I.
Defending champions St. Elizabeth Technical headline today's fixtures, hosting Maggotty in a Zone C game at the school's ground in Santa Cruz. Despite losing seven players from last year's victorious squad, including captain Brenton Parchment, Conroy Miller and Sheldon Bentley, the Junior Bennett-coached side is still expected to put on a strong showing.
STETHS have retained opener Odane Ewart, easily the most experienced player in rural school boy cricket, having played in the last four Headley Cup finals. Other strong members of the STETHS cast are current Jamaica Under-18 representative Shawn Findlay and Wayne Simpson, along with batsman Howard Powell, a recent representative on both the Jamaica and West Indies Under-16 teams. The other match of interest in Zone D is in Malvern, where Munro host Black River.
Last year's beaten finalists Holmwood, who are expected to dominate Zone D hosts Cross Keys at their school grounds in Christiana. This is the first time in 10 years that Holmwood will be using their school ground.
Vere Technical, semi-finalists for the past three years, will host Old Harbour in Hayes, and in another match of interest York Castle (semi-finallists for the past four years) plays away to Iona High at Rio Hoe.
