STETHS crowned Spaulding Cup champions after dominant display

St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) secured the ISSA/First Global Bank/GK Insurance Spaulding Cup title yesterday prevailing over St Jago on first innings after a rain-hit three-day affair that ended in a draw, but told a clear story of one-sided dominance.

Resuming 50 overnight, St Jago’s Danza Hyatt Jr looked poised to lead a fightback on day three with his side 117 for two, chasing a mammoth 487. But any hopes of a revival were quickly dashed when he was trapped leg before wicket by Ryan Lyttleton for a well-made 65 to leave St Jago 139 for three.

Wayne Plummer, who had resumed alongside Hyatt on 19, battled on to reach 43 before he was caught by Delante Scott off the bowling of Tyreik Bryan.

When skipper Vitel Lawes was trapped in front by Eckoney Robinson for 14 with the score on 189, the writing was firmly on the wall for St Jago. They were eventually dismissed for just 194, still trailing by a massive 293 runs on first innings.

TWO WICKETS A PIECE

Robinson finished with tidy figures of 3-30, while Adrian Silvera and Juwayne Lawson chipped in with two wickets apiece.

With the match already decided on first-innings honours, STETHS came out to bat a second time and rubbed salt into St Jago’s wounds.

National Under-15 player Jermari Bryce remained unbeaten on 81, while Tyriek Bryan provided a fluent 79 not out. Odane Binns contributed 23 as STETHS cruised to 196 for one before play was abandoned for the day.

The result cements STETHS’ status as the dominant force in schoolboy cricket this season, with the Spaulding Cup adding another trophy to their cabinet.

For coach Carl Wright, the victory was just reward for his side, which has played some enterprising cricket all season.

“It’s a good feeling to come out on top. As we know, it was a long season, but the guys worked hard and stuck to the task.” Wright had high praise for his young U15 batter Jermari Bryce, who he said was the highlight for him for the final.

“I really wanted the rain to ease because I wanted young Bryce to get a century. He is a youngster, and to see him come out and play the way he did was really pleasing.”