SANTA CRUZ, St Elizabeth – A near flawless unbeaten 152 from captain Jermaine Blackwood guided former champions Holmwood Technical High through to next week’s final of the all-rural ISSA/Grace Headley Cup against defending champions St Elizabeth Technical High (STETHS) at the Alpart Sports Club.

In the semi-final clash at the STETHS Sports Complex, Blackwood’s first century of the schoolboy season helped Holmwood to 348-3 shortly after lunch today in reply to Manchester’s 344 all out.

With first innings advantage decided, the umpires immediately called a halt to play in the drawn game.

Friday’s third day — in what was originally scheduled as a two-day affair — was added to facilitate a result.

Blackwood, a classy 17 year-old West Indies and Jamaica Under-19 batsman, shared partnerships of 78 for the third wicket with Aldaine Thomas (19) and an unbroken 105 for the fourth wicket with Shevon Mitchell, not out 38 (five fours, 61 balls), to carry his team home.