Carl Spence, Gleaner Writer
Eltham players celebrate with the trophy after defeating St. Jago by 18 runs in the ISSA Grace/Jackie Hendriks Under-14 final at Melbourne Oval yesterday. JUNIOR DOWIE/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
A FINE all-round performance, including a hat-trick, from Eltham's captain, Kino-Paul Sailsman, pushed his side to an 18-run victory over St. Jago in yesterday's final of the ISSA Grace/Jackie Hendriks Under-14 competition at Melbourne Oval.
Sailsman's hard-fought 34 not out batting at No. 3 propped up an ordinary performance as his side crumbled for 86 off 46 of the allotted 50 overs. Gareth Garvey and Brent Williams were the bowlers who did the damage for St. Jago as they bagged three wickets each from 7.2 and 18 overs, respectively.
In reply, St. Jago could only manage 68 runs off 33 overs as Sailsman claimed four for 11 from four and a half overs. St. Jago appeared to be in charge until captain Garvey, who top scored with 54, became the first victim of Sailsman's offspin when he was trapped leg before in the 28th over.
FIFTH CROWN THIS SEASON
With the score on 68 for seven and St. Jago needing just another 19 runs for victory, Sailsman then sealed the issue when he used the first three deliveries of his fifth over to wrap up St. Jago's innings and give his team its first hold on the Under-14 title and the school's fifth crown in this year's season of cricket. They had previously won the Under 19 'A' and Premier League titles as well as the Under-16 Urban and All-Island crowns.
In a brief presentation ceremony which followed the match, Garvey was rewarded for being the season's leading wicket taker and the top all-rounder. Romeo Dunka of Eltham was given two awards for ending with the most runs and most centuries (two).
Rohan Francis of Meadowbrook received an award for claiming more than seven wickets in a match, while Sailsman won a trophy for his hat-trick in the final.
