Shield showdown! Innswood tackle Eltham in schoolboy finale

LAST year's beaten finalists Innswood High will today begin their quest to dethrone five-time champions Eltham High in the final of the Urban Area ISSA/Grace Shield Premier League cricket competition at Melbourne Oval.

The game is scheduled for three days through to Friday, with play starting at 10 am each day.

Both teams topped their respective semi-final sections to progress to the decider, but it is the challengers who have been the outstanding team this season, particularly due to their strong top-order batting.

The first four in their line up -- captain Oraine Williams, Peat Salmon, Kemar Foster and Oshane Morgan -- have already combined for almost 2,000 runs this season.

The batsmen got good practice in their last game against Wolmers' Boys', as they amassed 730 for eight declared, with Williams smashing 285 and Foster cracking 143.

They also possess three of the more successful bowlers in the competition, as well with leg-spinner Jermaine Bennett (30 wickets), fastbowler Michail Powell (26 wickets) and Salmon (28 wickets) all causing concern for opposition batsmen.

Coach Kirk Gordon expects a tough battle against Eltham, but insists his team is not intimidated.

"I think our chances are good and we are not intimidated by the fact that they are five-time champions. We are the team to beat this season and once we get it right in the batting, fielding and bowling departments, then we will win," he said.

"The team is peaking at the right time and it's not just about the batting. We are also strong in bowling and fielding," he added.

Eltham, coached by Oral Simpson, defeated Norman Manley High in their previous game to top their group ahead of St Catherine High due to a superior head-to-head record, and remain on course to snatch their sixth straight title.

Though they have been less dominant this season, Eltham will look to maintain their advantage over their parish rivals, whom they also beat in the Knockout final last year.

In fact, such has been Eltham's dominance over recent years that many watchers predict that they will lift their game when it is most needed to again capture the coveted schoolboy cricket title.

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