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 St Elizabeth Technical High (STETHS) at the

Alpart Sports Club.

In the semi-final clash at the STETHS Sports Complex yesterday, first century of the schoolboy season helped Holmwood to 348-3 shortly after Lunch in reply to Manchester’s 344 all out. With first iinnngs advantage decided, the umpires immediately called a halt to play in the drawn game.

Yesterday’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.

On a pitch of true bounce and pace, the right-handed Blackwood was never troubled by a feather-weight Manchester bowling attack after resuming from an overnight 45 in partnership with Thomas on zero and the team score at 166-2. By the time the umpires called a halt a few

minutes after Lunc he had hit 14 fours and four sixes and faced 170 balls.

Holmwood last won the Headley Cup in 2006 and they will be in search of their seventh title when they face STETHS in what should be a grand climax to the rural schoolboy season next Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

STETHS, meantime, overwhelmed Tacky High by an innings and 241 runs in the other semi -final at Chedwin Park on Thursday.

Yesterday, Holmwood’s coach Orville Pennant who is in search of his first schoolboy title as head coach paid tribute to the proven power of STETHS down the years but also expressed confidence in his team.

“It is always a challenge going up against St Elizabeth Technical. When it comes to schoolboy cricket they are the father, but at the same time we (Holmwood) have the team to go out there and beat anybody,” he said.

Blackwood was similarly confident. “We are mentally prepared for STETHS,” he said.

For Manchester High, whose score was boosted by an attacking 149 by captain Courtney Allen, the defeat meant double disappointment after being beaten by STETHS in the final of the knock-out competition in early February.

Coach Barry Barnes paid high tribute to Holmwood. “We can’t take anything away from them, they played really well,” he said.

He also had high praise for Allen, a Jamaica Under-19 batsman who has now completed his last schoolboy season.

“He is not only a good cricketer and team man but a tremendous person and very humble, we will miss him,” said Barnes.