Norman Manley's Marvin Labbon drives through the offside during his innings of 90 in the Grace Shield Premier League final at Melbourne Oval yesterday. - Junior Dowie/Staff Photographer THE GRACE Shield Premier League cricket final between Norman Manley Comprehensive and Spanish Town High enters its second day at Melbourne Oval today with the prospect of an exciting day's play and a close finish.
At stumps on yesterday's opening day, Spanish Town were on 46 for two off 17 overs replying to Norman Manley's 236 off 86.5 overs and looking another 190 to win with eight wickets in hand.
Batting first, Norman Manley lost their first wicket at 27 for one when Marvin Gray was caught by Carlos Guy off fast bowler Brian Wright.
With opening batsman Marvin Lobban batting well on his way to a topscore of 90, including 16 fours, and Domian Wilson, 30, also batting well, Norman Manley eased to 98 before Wilson was bowled by Wright.
At lunch, they were 140 for two with Lobban and Yanick Elliott, 11, the not out batsmen.
After the interval, however, they lost wickets quickly and were struggling at 180 for seven before tail-enders Nicholas Ferron 28 not out, and Andre Wilson , 18, bolstered them with a 34-run ninth-wicket stand.
Lobban was dismissed shortly before tea, caught at mid-on by Markham Guy off Wayne Morgan, at 172 for five.
Fast bowler Wright, with four wickets for 69 runs off 18.5 overs, was Spanish Town's most successful bowler. he was well supported by Wayne Morgan with three for 44 and Kevon Goldson three for 50.
When Spanish Town replied, they suffered an early setback when Norman Manley's captain Dave Johnson removed Mariano Dixon for four and Corlas Davis for 16 to leave them on 39 for two.
Opener Ricardo Howe is not out 17 and Iva Johnson on five, and Spanish Town will be looking to both of them plus captain Wayne Morgan, Ricardo Ennis, Wright and Junior McKenzie to bat them to victory.
