Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer

Wolmer's opening batsman Mario Downer takes evasive action and almost loses his helmet during their Grace Shield match against Norman Manley at Maxfield Park on Tuesday. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

ACTION IN Group A of the Grace Shield Premier League heats up today with two crucial clashes.

Joint second-place teams Kingston College (KC) and Waterford, on 17 points each, face off at Little KC, Elleston Road, while leaders St. Catherine (20 points) face a tough challenge against defending champions Eltham, who are fourth on 14 points at St. John's Road. In other games, Mona (nine points) travel to Penwood, while Calabar meet St. George's College.

To further add to the intrigue, Eltham are awaiting a ruling on their unfinished game against Mona - who walked off the field with the scores tied at 158, while Mona are also awaiting for the outcome of their unplayed game against St. Catherine, who did not prepare a pitch.

Based on ISSA rules, Eltham and Mona should get the points from those games, which would take them to 19 and 14 points respectively.

Meanwhile, after Tuesday's sixth round of matches, things are equally competitive in Group B. Jamaica College (JC) defeated Spanish Town to move to 25 points, Norman Manley beat Wolmer's to advance to 20 while St. Jago and Excelsior secured victories over Meadowbrook and Tarrant to move to 19 and 17 respectively.

At Maxfield Park, Horace Miller (81 not out) and Sidue Hunter (67 not out) shared in an unbroken second-wicket stand of 128 to carry Norman Manley to 162-1, in reply to Wolmer's 157.

Jon-Ross Campbell top-scored for Wolmer's with 81 against Nicholas Ferron (4-30), Ryan Francis (2-7) and Winston Walker (2-13).

Oliver Walker scored 118 and Gavin Jackson 49 to lead JC to 227, then Elvis Watson took 6-23 and Carlyle Maxom 3-27 to help dismiss Spanish Town for 99, for a 128-run win at Spanish Town Community Centre.

At Tarrant, Excelsior scored 217-9 declared to beat Tarrant, 107, by 110 runs. Roman Senior took 5-9 in Tarrant's innings.

At Monk Street, replying to Meadowbrook's 66, St. Jago reached the target for the loss of only one wicket. Aaron Daley Jr. took 4-11 for the victors.