Kingston, St Bess in repeat final of Kingston Wharves U-15 cricket tourney

Champions Kingston remain on course to defend their Kingston Wharves Under-15 cricket crown after handsomely marching into the final of the 27th staging of the competition with a 103-run win over St Ann in their semi-final contest at Emmet Park yesterday.

They will meet former champions St Elizabeth in a repeat of last year’s final on Friday at Sabina Park.

Kingston were led by a composed half-century knock from captain Matthew Comrie, which saw them pile up a competitive 262-6 from their allotted 40 overs. He carved out four boundaries in his knock of 62 and added impetus to the innings as the aggressor in a 107-run, fifth-wicket stand with Jordain Johnson (42).

Johnson later displayed his all-round ability when he grabbed four wickets for nine runs in two overs of off spin, while Comrie also picked up one wicket for 30 runs in assisting to restrict their opponents to 159 inside 36 overs.

Earlier, after winning the toss, Kingston got off to a solid start courtesy of Daniel Beckford and Nicholas Lewin. The two posted an opening stand of 60 before Ryan Deidrick picked up Lewin for 31.

Beckford (32), added an even 50 for the second wicket with Razzaq Williams, but a misjudged run led to his demise. After losing Hritick Amin (three) in a similar manner shortly after with the score at 113-3, Williams continued his aggressive display and added 25 for the fourth wicket with Comrie.

The stoutly built batsman struck three fours and two sixes in his innings of 46 to keep the scoreboard ticking over, but fell four runs shy of what would have been a deserved half-century after offering an easy chance to Deidrick.

Comrie and Johnson then took the bowling apart, as the visitors were made to toil in the field before eventually getting the breakthrough when Clive Meredith bowled Comrie with the score at 245-5. Johnson followed soon after when Chadrick Gardener had him caught by Meredith.

Rajiv Redhi (nine) and Michael Clarke, who was yet to score, saw off the remaining overs. Deidrick ended with two for 46.

In reply, St Ann were not allowed to settle, with Davanne McDonald failing to navigate the pace of Alifah Cox and was bowled for six with the score at 6-1. It quickly became 46-3 as Razzaq and Redhi accounted for Rickone Harris (10) and Marvin Simpson (14).

The procession continued after a brief water break with Deidrick (22), Meredith (26) and Juedane Alexander (39) being unable to stem the fall of wickets. Johnson, supported by Amin who took two for 12, easily wrapped up the lower order to complete the rout.

Meanwhile, St Elizabeth defeated Westmoreland by 134 runs in the second semi-final at Seaview Cricket Ground in Westmoreland.

Scores: St Elizabeth 226 all out (32.2 overs); Westmoreland 92 all out (13.2 overs).

Credit: Article by Sherdon Cowan | Observer staff reporter cowans@jamaicaobserver.com