THERE was a lot of talk about Manchester High dethroning St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) in the Grace Headley Cup.

But this season, STETHS — the winningest school with 22 titles — renew old rivalry with nemesis Holmwood Technical in the battle for rural area schoolboy cricket supremacy.

Today through to Friday at Alpart Sports Club, the nation’s two most successful schols in the competition’s history will match skills in what is expected to be another gripping contest which should evoke memories of several classics between them.

That Holmwood weren’t given much of a chance of reaching the final demonstrates renewed strength in the Christiana side, which lost its focus following the sudden death of influential coach Robert Lewis two years ago.

They now set their sights on claiming their seventh title, but must overcome a powerful STETHS team determined to make this their fourth straight defence and back-to-back double wins after beating Manchester in the limited-overs KO contest.

Orville Pennant, in his first season as Holmwood’s coach, has managed to get them refocused and is hoping his charges repeat their gutsy showing in the semis against Manchester in which they overcame a massive 344.

Last week’s display would suggest Holmwood are returning to the Lewis era and according to Pennant, victory will be in the latter’s honour.

“It wasn’t easy getting these boys focused after the death of Mr Lewis because all of them were coached by him before,” said Pennant.

“It took me a while, but I managed to gain their respect… and if they can repeat their semi-final performance, then that will be great,” he added.

Skipper Jermaine Blackwood’s near flawless, unbeaten 152 saw the 2006 champions prevailed on first innings over the much-touted Manchester.

But the talismanic effort from the National Under-19 player will face sterner tests from the likes of Donavan Nelson, Brian Gayle and Cassius Burton.

The STETHS bowling trio was instrumental in a ruthless innings and 241-run semi-final win against Tacky High as they warmed up for this decider.

Clive Legister’s boys showed real class and will again look to ride on the back of National Under-19 captain Paul Palmer Jnr, who stroked 116 in the team 451.

And after such a performance, Legister said his side is confident of winning.

“The guys are upbeat,” he said yesterday. “They are physically and mentally prepared. They are raring to go and the vibe is high in the camp.”

Complacency is always a factor, but Legister noted that that won’t be the case over the next three days.

“I’m not surprise that Holmwood came through (to the final). In fact, I was expecting to meet them in the KO, because I think they are more technically better than Manchester.

“But our main threat is ourselves because we’ve been playing good cricket all season… once we can continue to play good cricket, then we expect to win,” he said.