Richard Bryan, Freelance Writer

FIRST INNINGS honours proved enough for St. Elizabeth Technical (STETHS) to achieve their 20th hold on the Headley Cup on the third day of their rain-affected final against first-time finalists Godfrey Stewart at Alpart yesterday.

Scores: Godfrey Stewart 93 and 55 for five; STETHS 269 for seven.

The contest was virtually settled mid-afternoon the previous day when STETHS overhauled the 93 scored by Godfrey Stewart in 64 overs, then reached 94 for two before rain washed out the entire post-tea session. The onus was on Godfrey Stewart to take quick wickets at the start of play yesterday, but once overnight players Ismael Parchment (25) and Nickoy Samuels (24) batted close to the lunch interval, it was all but over.

The two shared in a 106-run, third-wicket partnership, with Parchment falling for 42 at 135 for four. With help from Derval Green (54), Samuels soldiered on in a 97-run, fourth-wicket partnership before he agonisingly fell three short of a century, leg before to Adrian Thompson. It would have been his second straight century, having scored 117 against Garvey Maceo the previous week in the semi-finals, also at Alpart.

STETHS then batted on for an hour after lunch before making a token declaration.

Donovan Nelson, who will represent Jamaica in the upcoming regional Under-15 championship, snared 2-2 off five overs, then rain five minutes before the tea interval finished the contest.

Years of frustration, losses ends

The title ended four years of frustration and losses to Holmwood Technical, who were dethroned in the semis by Godfrey Stewart. It was a special achievement for stand-in coach Clive Ledgister, who was filling in for regular coach Junior Bennett, who is now with the national senior programme.Ledgister said he had the school's great tradition in the sport to protect.

"I feel happy for the guys and early in the season we discussed winning. It is always a good thing to see youngsters set goals in life and achieve it," Legister said.

"If we didn't win it this year, it would have marked the first time in 28 years that students attending the school over a five-year period would not have seen a championship."