MELBOURNE CC and St Catherine CC notched convincing victories over Kensington CC and Police SC, respectively, in the national 50-overs club competition yesterday.

In a match reduced to 35-overs a side due to a rain delay, Melbourne, led by leg-spinning all-rounder Damion Jacobs’ 5-19 off seven overs, beat Kensington by 67 runs at the Kensington Park.

Scores: Melbourne CC 164-5 (35 overs); Kensington CC 97 (32.4 overs).

Kensington won the toss and sent Melbourne to take first strike and the hosts posted a respectable 164-5.

National middle-order batsman Andre McCarthy hit a fluent 52 from 59 deliveries, which included two fours and a lone six.

Opening batsman Tareque White struck 32, while sidelined wicketkeeper/batsman Carlton Baugh made 19. Last weekend’s centurion Jon-Ross Campbell was dismissed for only 10.

Bowling for Kensington, pacer Craighan Malcolm snatched 2-31 off seven overs, and left-arm spinner Ryan Francis supported with 1-34 off 10.

Chasing 165 for a win, Kensington failed to effectively combat the spin barrage from Melbourne and were dismissed for 97. Victor Barrack (19) and schoolboy Delbert Gayle (16) were the two top scorers, while Jamaica’s vice-captain David Bernard could only manage eight.

Jacobs was assisted by off-spinner Yannick Elliott, who finished with 2-13. It was a particularly outstanding day for the 26-year-old Elliott, who was hospitalised with a stroke two months ago.

In the match at Chedwin Park, the hosts St Catherine charged to an 81-run victory over Police SC, thanks to Danza Hyatt’s attacking 71, and seamer Andre Russell’s five-wicket haul.

Scores: St Catherine CC 209-9 (50 overs); Police SC 128 (28.3 overs).

Hyatt, a seasoned national batsman, cracked three sixes and as many fours to pilot St Catherine to 209-9 off their allotted 50 overs. Gavin Wallace chipped in with 32.

Seam-bowler Brian Buchanan, who made his first-class debut in the recently completed regional four-day tournament, took 2-33 off nine overs for Police, while medium-pacer Lenford Boadie grabbed 2-38 off 10.

In reply, the Police SC batsmen were blown away by Russell’s 5-33 off 10 overs. The sidelined West Indies player was supported by medium-pacer David Morgan, who ended with 2-18.

Buchanan, who batted at number nine, offered the lone resistance with 45 off 28 balls.

There was no play between Jamaica Defence Force and home team St Thomas at the Good Year Oval. According to reports reaching the Jamaica Observer, the pitch was not properly prepared.