Eltham's Shacoya Thomas acknowledges the crowd after reaching his century in the Grace Shield final against Jamaica College at Melbourne Oval yesterday. -Junior Dowie/Staff Photographer

Anthony Foster, Freelance Writer

AN INDISCIPLINED Jamaica College (JC) team was put to the sword by Shacoya Thomas as defending champions Eltham took total control of the three-day Grace Shield Premier League final at Melbourne Oval yesterday. Scores: Eltham 192 and 279; JC 121.

The JC team, whose behaviour was far from acceptable on yesterday's second day, will start their run chase today at 10:00 a.m. seekingan improbable 350 runs for victory.

JC's coach, David Robertson, remains optimistic and said his side still had a chance to win.

"We are very much in it," Robertson said. "We know Eltham are not going to make it easy but we are going to approach it like a limited-over game," he said.

The Old Hope Road-based boys appealed for everything yesterday and often argued the umpires' decisions. They were warned several times but did not take heed.

The fielders, along with a player on the sideline, could be heard sledging the batsmen, and they also went as far as going up to batsmen when they were dismissed to say 'go weh, yuh caan bat, come off a di pitch'.

Important partnerships

Meanwhile, Thomas' unbeaten 145 set up Eltham for their third consecutive title. Thomas' century was the backbone of Eltham's 279. He came to the wicket with his team at one for one and put on 65 for the second wicket with Matthew Stewart, 30.

He shared in two other important partnerships, 41 for the third with Romeo Duncan ( 41) and 98 for the fifth with Sandre Watson (38). However, wickets fell rapidly afterwards.

Thomas, who scored 98 in the first innings, batted responsibly throughout his second knock while hitting 14 fours and three sixes.

JC's Gavin Jackson, who took two wickets with the last two deliveries of the innings, finished with 3-4. Oliver Walker (2-41) and Geoffrey Laing (2-74) were also among the wicket-takers. Earlier, JC, who resumed on 56 for five, were dismissed for 121 but not before last man Lushane South, 36, and No. 10 batsman Laing, five not out, added 44 for the 10th wicket. Frederick Hermitt took 5-52 and Sandre Watson 4-46.

Feedback: Anthony.foster@gleanerjm.com.