JAMAICA Defence Force and Kingston CC were locked in an absorbing battle for first-innings points on the opening day of the Jamaica Cricket Association’s two-day Senior Cup final at Sabina Park yesterday.

At the close, the army men were 142-6 in reply to Kingston’s first-innings score of 196.

Play is set to resume today at 10:00 am with JDF’s Marlon Pinnock and Leighton Leslie unbeaten on one and six, respectively.

Scores: Kingston 196; JDF 142-6.

Earlier yesterday, Kingston CC won the toss and batted first, but they were pegged back by accurate bowling from Jamaica Defence Force.

Middle-order batsman Darnell McCallum top-scored with 41, while opener Andre Bryce struck 39. Allrounder Garth Harvey chipped in with 26.

Left-arm wrist spinner Dennis Bulli snared 6-65 off 24 overs for JDF. National left-arm quick bowler Sheldon Cotterell, just back in the JDF set-up after representing Antigua Hawksbills in the Caribbean Premier League, supported with 1-34 off 10 overs.

In their response, JDF openers Jermaine Harrison and Bereston Reid added 84 runs for the first wicket. Harrison made 66, while Reid contributed 41.

After both were dismissed, the JDF team struggled to close of play as Kingston’s bowlers grew in confidence.

JDF left-hander Rasheed Outar, who has scored three centuries this season, was dismissed for two runs.

Left-arm finger spinner Patrick Harty took 3-33 from 12 overs.

The winners of the 2014 Senior Cup will take home $1 million, while the secondplaced team will pocket $500,000.