Richard Bryan, Freelance Writer
Holmwood Technical's No.8 batman Bruce Blackwood blocks a delivery on the defence in his innings of 70 not out on the first day's play of the Headley Cup final against STETHS at Alpart Sport Club yesterday. - JUNOR DOWIE/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
MANDEVILLE:
THE HEADLEY Cup final appeared delicately poised heading into day two with St. Elizabeth Technical (STETHS) ending on 53 for three in reply to 171 posted in 77 overs by defending champions Holmwood Technical.
The day belonged to fast bowler Bruce Blackwood, who batting at number eight, rescued Holmwood from 61 for six to what may be still be a fighting total by scoring 70 not out.
The champions' top order, which include five players from the National Youth teams, failed to click and it took Blackwood's four hours and 17 minutes at the crease to anchor the last four wickets to 109 precious runs from 54 overs.
Only Andre McCarthy (25) and Ziggy Levy (18) were able to get starts for the Holmwood batting which was for the second time this season backfiring against STETHS.
No one bowler dominated the action and wickets were shared around with Jason Dawes, Nickoy Samuels, Damion Ebanks and Romaine Powell accounting for two each.
The STETHS challenge for first innings honours will resume this morning with the com-binations of the teams' two most potent batsmen, captain Damion Ebanks (not out 5) and Nickoy Samuels (not out 4).
The batsmen dismissed so far are Derval Green (10) and the pair of Jonathan Barry (23) and Ishmael Parchment (10) who fell to Andre McCarthy.
Blackwood showed good technique against the spinners, pretty much keen on defense when playing to them, but was more attacking against the medium and pace bowlers.
He brought up his half century with an exquisite cut shot off pacer Dawes and that milestone included six 4s and 124 balls.
Robert Lewis, coach of Holmwood, was disappointed at his team's play, although optimistic that with early wickets this morning, first innings honours can still be salvaged.
"Our early guys (batsmen) really messed us up and I don't think the wicket was any big factor. They did not play with any sort of commitment and the way Bruce batted it showed that we could have done so much more.
"Anyway, I still think the game is evenly balanced and all we need is early wickets."
Clive Ledgister, who was the stand-in coach in absence of regular coach of STETHS' Junior Bennett, gave special commendation for Blackwood while ruing that his team missed out putting Holmwood under further pressure.
He told The Gleaner: "They played sensible cricket between lunch and tea and Blackwood really got stuck in and made the difference.
"In any case, I think we missed out on some half chances and I feel the wicket has settled down. It is playing fairly easy and there is no reason why we can't get the first target," he added of winning first innings points.
