IN the fifth round of the Jamaica Cricket Association Senior Cup, Group A leaders Kensington trounced Kingston and St Andrew Cricket (KSAC) by nine wickets at Maxfield Park over the weekend to move to 22 points in the standings.

Batting first, KSAC struggled to 113 all out with Ryan Francis and Dennis Bulli grabbing four for 37 and four for 54, respectively. Kensington then replied with 270 for six, thanks to Jeffrey Scott’s 72 and Horace Miller’s even 50.

Facing a first innings deficit of 157, Gary Pink (41) and Shawn Harris (40) helped KSAC to a score of 192 which left the visitors a target of 36 to win. Bulli took three wickets, while Francis had two scalps for Kensington, who went on to lose one wicket in their successful chase.

Third-placed Lucas moved up to 13 points when they took first-innings honours from St Catherine in their drawn encounter. The east Kingston-based team scored 216 all out with Ricardo Ennis and Wayne Gayle stroking half centuries against Peat Salmon’s three for 40.

St Catherine responded with 174 with Peter Pottinger making 69 against Gary Herbine’s five for 37. Batting a second time, Wayne Gayle struck 118 in Lucas’ 226 to leave St Catherine a target of 267 to win outright. They reached 153 for five at the close with Erron Downer getting a 50. Herbine was against the top wicket-taker with three wickets.

At the Good Year Oval, visiting Portland (10 points) took first innings from second-placed St Thomas (16 points) in their drawn match. Portland 251 and 207, while St Thomas managed 151 and 249 for six.

In group B, Hanover (16 points) moved up to joint second place with the Jamaica Defence Force after mauling neighbours St James by an innings and 109 runs. Hanover made 221 for seven declared as Kennar Lewis made 84 and Kadiean McKenzie made 52.

St James were then dismissed for scores of 60 and 52 as Kenneth Beckford and Damion Distin finished with five wicket hauls in either innings.

In another drawn game, hosts St Mary lost first innings honours to the JDF despite Tyson Gordon’s unbeaten 118 in the second innings. St Mary had managed just 186 batting first against Joseph Palmer, who took six for 43.

JDF responded with 228 as Sheldon Cotter made 74, while the home team — batting a second time — showed more fight to finish on 237 for five.

In St Catherine, Odale Wickham (145) and Lerone Tyrell (142) powered visitors Police to snatch first innings points away from fourth-placed GC Foster in their high-scoring encounter. Batting first, Sheldon Powell blasted 116 in GC Foster’s 347 for six declared as Dwayne Ewart and Heron Davis chipped in with half centuries.

Sixth-placed Police then marched to 356 for eight when play was called off, despite Joseph Lemmie’s six for 76 for the home team.