Paul-Andre Walker, Staff Reporter
Kingston's veteran all-rounder, Nehemiah Perry, looks for a quick single off the misfield of Manchester's silly-point fielder during the semi-final of their Supreme Ventures Challenge Shield semi-final at the Kensington Oval yesterday. Looking on is Manchester wicketkeeper and captain Orville Pennant. Kingston made it to the final after taking the first innings by 15 runs. Perry had scores of 81 and 105 in the match. - RICARDO MAKYN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
A SPECTACULAR century from veteran all-rounder Nehemiah Perry secured a berth in the final of the Supreme Ventures Challenge Shield for Kingston yesterday at Kensington Oval.
Playing against a game Manchester, Kingston had eked out a slim 15 run first-innings lead, after their opponents had failed to make good on Orville Pennant's 96-run platform to lose six wickets for just 66 runs.
National pacer Andrew Richard-son ended with Kingston's best figures of three for 59 off 11 overs, while Perry bagged two for 57 off 16 overs.
When play was called off at the end of the day, Kingston were comfortably home at 245 for eight.
With the game finely balanced, Kingston were expected to slow the game to a crawl and bat out the rest of the day to take the title easily.
However, when Simon Jackson went caught by David Powell off the bowling of Boris Hutchinson, the game was on.
But a good knock of 56 from Duran White made Kingston comfortable, until André Dwyer struck a good rhythm to rip into the Tigers' middle order with his five for 73.
First he removed White, who was well caught by Powell, before sending back Jamie Trenchfield for a duck. The young left-hander kicked at a delivery that came back at him and was sent packing.
Things got even more interes-ting when Dwyer had Brian Latore caught at mid-off going for an expansive drive for 24.
CAUGHT
Roland Holder then came to the crease and belied his experience when he chipped down the wicket to Powell, only to be caught at first slip by Sheldon Powell.
At that point fans were on the edge of their seats waiting for tea time to be over with the game on a knife's edge and Kingston reeling at 92 for four.
The 15-run lead looked even smaller at that point. But Perry made things look easy, hoisting Powell over his head for two massive sixes just after tea. He would end with a total of five sixes, as he raced to 50 off 48 balls, taking Kingston to 177 for eight.
Pacer Jowayne Robinson also looked in good knick, until Dwyer also removed him from the attack just after tea.
Even with Perry's good hitting, things could have turned sour for Kingston, but the exploits of Kerry Scott in a 12-run cameo held up the Manchester charge for what seemed an eternity.
When Scott was run out with just about an hour and a half left in the day's play, and Perry looking like going all the way with an aggressive 69 already on the board, the game was all over.
The only statistic that mattered after that was if Perry would hit the triple-figure mark and how many sixes and fours he could manage before play was called to an end.
After striking his 13th four to take his tally to 105, he shook hands with Pennant and walked off the pitch to the rousing applause of his teammates.
After the game the in-form veteran, who achieved his century off 88 balls, said a positive outlook helped him to make the best of what was a good batting wicket.
"I was positive from the word go. I was playing well and it was a good batting track so I just took advantage of some mediocre bowling in patches," said Perry, who also pointed out that Dwyer was potentially a match-winner and that their earlier situation was a worrisome one.
