Elliott's spectacular effort keeps Melbourne three points adrift St. Elizabeth

Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter

St. Elizabeth continued to push for the finish line when they secured a three-wicket win over the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) yesterday, now just needing to avoid defeat against Melbourne to win the competition in what promises to be an exciting climax next week to the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) Super Cup.

Led by an outstanding all-round effort from Yannick Elliott, Melbourne put together a spectacular second innings effort to snatch an outright win over Westmoreland, staying three points adriftof leaders St. Elizabeth with just one round to go in the competition.

Batting in their first innings, Melbourne were scuttled out for 112 runs. In reply, Westmoreland went on to steal first innings points when they were dismissed for 186.

Batting again Melbourne, resuming yesterday on 196 for three, smashed a second innings total of 403 for six declared. Yannick Elliott led the way with an impressive 144 runs off 183 balls, in which he hit four sixes and 16 fours.

Andr? McCarthy also did some damage with the bat, hitting 87 runs. Evon McInnis was Westmoreland's top bowler, ending with figures of three for 81.

In their second innings, Westmoreland proved to be no match for Melbourne's bowling. Elliott also proved to be devastating with the ball, snatching five for 41 to finish with impressive overall figures of nine for 62.

At Alpart

St. Elizabeth, having taken first innings points when they made 190 all out in reply to the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) 121, bowled out the JDF for 156 in their second innings. Needing 87 to win, St. Elizabeth, led by Shane Powell's 21, got the total with three wickets to spare, scoring 91 for seven as Fabian Anderson took five for 31.

Victory moved St. Elizabeth to 29 points, while Melbourne are second on 26.

At Chedwin Park

Manchester, who were tied for second place at the start of the day, dropped out of contention when they lost first innings points to defending champions St. Catherine Cricket Club.

Resuming on 39 without loss in pursuit of St. Catherine's first innings total of 339 for eight declared, Manchester were bowled out for 245. Donovan Sinclair top scored with 60, while Borris Hutchinson hit 46 not out. Andre Russell grabbed four for 62 bowling for St. Catherine, while Frederick Wright finished with two for 38.

Batting again, St. Catherine were 68 for four at the close of play.

Still in third place, Manchester moved to 21 points, eight behind leaders St. Elizabeth, while St. Catherine are fifth on 16 points.

At Kensington Oval:

The home team surrendered first innings points to Trelawny after falling an agonising four runs short of the visitors' total. Chasing 225 Kensington, resuming on 48 for two, were bowled out for 221.

Rasheed Outar top scored with 79, while Maurice Kepple chipped in with 67. Dane Johnson was the pick of the Trelawny bowlers, finishing with five for 34, while Oral Rankine picked up three for 51.

Kensington are in eighth place on seven points, while Trelawny are seventh on 10 points.

At Nelson Oval

Visitors Kingston, who are fourth on 19 points, took first innings points from last-placed host Lucas.

Batting first, Kingston made 282 all out and in reply Lucas scored 218 all out. Resuming on 93 for three yesterday, Kingston, batting again, went on to make 158 for eight at the close of play. Damian Wilson top scored with 82, while Chadwick Walton made 53. Akeem Dewar led the Lucas bowling attack, finishing with figures of five for 71.