By Anthony Foster, Freelance WriterST. CATHERINE and Meadowbrook yesterday crashed out of contention for a place in the 2004 Grace Shield Premier League cricket final.
Despite securing draws against A League champions Jamaica College (JC) and defending champions Norman Manley respectively, St. Catherine (three points) and Meadowbrook (one point) both first-round losers have completed their fixtures.
However, things will not be easy for Norman Manley and Jamaica College when they go up against first-round winners Spanish Town and Jonathan Grant respectively in the next semi round. Spanish Town (five points) and Jonathan Grant (five points) are on top of their respective zones, which means Norman Manley (three points) and JC (one point) are in must-win situations.
Five points are awarded for a win, three for first innings and one if a team loses on first innings and the match is drawn. Even if Norman Manley secure first innings against Spanish Town they can only move to six points, the same as their opponent, which will still advance on the most wins rule.
At St. Catherine High, JC, resuming on 130 for seven, in search of 24 runs for first innings honours, were dismissed for 145. Elvis Watson failed to add to his overnight score of 41 as Rajic Chatrie (2-19) and Bjaron Cooper (2-33) cleaned up the tail.
St. Catherine, led by Rohan Franklyn, 47, Nicholas Brown and Knakki Gordon, 30 each, posted 175 for eight declared, against the bowling of Watson (5-42) and Andre Corrie (2-78). That left JC 183 for victory.
However, when bad light stopped play, JC were struggling at 85 for nine. Watson top scored with 32 against Chatrie (3-12) and Dwayne Rosswess (2-13).
At Maxfield Park, Norman Manley notched up 310 for nine declared, this in reply to Meadowbrook's 306. Omar Allison, 76, Ryon Francis, 73, and Yanick Elliott, 59, led the way for the defending champions against Dennis Bulli (3-63), Sean Whitehorne (2-52) and Cornel Kitson (2-27).
In their second innings, Meadowbrook were 190 for five when stumps were drawn. Bulli, 67, and Diego Clarke, 47, top scored.
