MANCHESTER CA, guided by off-spinning all-rounder Jamie Merchant, remain on course for its fourth straight hold on the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) Senior Cup title after yesterday edging out the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) by three wickets in the semi-final at Up Park Camp.

After sealing a 53-run lead on Saturday’s opening day, Manchester dismissed the home team for 217 as Merchant took three wickets to end with match figures of 8-108.

The former youth player showed his worth with the bat in hitting an unbeaten 23 as Manchester reached 165-7 to win the match and set up a final clash with Melbourne CC next weekend. The Melbourne outfit trounced St Elizabeth by 10 wickets two weeks ago to book their final spot.

Jamaica Defence Force 125 and 217; Manchester 178 and 165-7.

Starting the day on zero without loss in their second innings, the JDF put in an improved batting performance before being dismissed for 217.

Joseph Palmer top-scored with 41, while Jermaine Edwards and Dennis Bulli contributed 35 and 30, respectively.

Spinner David Powell snatched 4-61 off 17 overs to end with six wickets in the match. Merchant followed his first innings five-wicket haul with 3-72 off 24 overs and a ball.

In Manchester’s successful run-chase, Gary Graham (54) scored his second half-century of the match, while youngster Oshane Walters (36) and Merchant chipped in supporting knocks.

JDF’s spinner Akbar Moodie took 3-30 off 16 economical overs to follow up his three-wicket outing in the first innings.

Young pacer Leighton Leslie grabbed 2-28 off six overs, while the former youth left-arm wrist-spinner Bulli (1-45) failed to reproduce the dominance that saw him rip out five wickets on day one.