Melbourne's Ray Stewart (right), who hit the winning run and Leon Bent (left) depart the pitch to cheers from teammates and spectators at Sabina Park yesterday. Melbourne won by one wicket. -Ian Allen photoAnthony Foster, Freelance Writer
MELBOURNE CLINCHED their eighth one-day national crown when they won the Capital and Credit-sponsored Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) All-Island final against Lucas yesterday.
In an action-packed final played at Sabina Park, Lucas, sent in to take first strike, were dismissed for 150 in 47.5 overs, a target which Melbourne fought gallantly to reach at 151 for nine off 48.4 overs.
Melbourne's Ray Stewart, who earlier had to be taken off on a stretcher after pulling a hamstring but returned to hit an unbeaten 33, Nikita Miller, 13, and last man Leon Bent, unbeaten on three, guided Melbourne to victory after the side was struggling at 109 for eight.
Stewart came back with a runner (Donovan Pagon) at the fall of the eighth wicket and with Miller added an important 32 runs for the ninth wicket.
Earlier, Melbourne lost their first wicket when Pagon was trapped leg before wicket to Christopher Senior (1-15) at 29 for one. Pagon was booed by spectators in the George Headley Stand on his way back to the pavilion.
Marlon Samuels batted for 35 minutes for his 21, Carlton Baugh hit 31, Robert Samuels played on to Delroy Morgan for six, Llewellyn Meggs made one, Roman Hutchinson, two, and Aubrey Wollaston, 19, for Melbourne.
Morgan finished with 3-18 off 10 overs while Gary Herbine, 3-46, played the main supporting role.
Lucas's top order was smashed by man-of-the-match Meggs who broke their top-order batting open by removing Wayne Gayle, zero, Chris Gayle, one, and Rayon Smith, three.
