JAMAICA Defence Force (JDF) were crowned champions of the Jamaica Cricket Association’s (JCA) two-day Senior Cup after defeating Kingston Cricket Club on first-innings points in the final at Sabina Park yesterday.

Needing to survive 47 overs in their second innings to get their hands on the trophy, JDF did it in dramatic fashion as they were reeling at 116 for eight with 10 overs remaining in the day’s play. But national representative Sheldon Cotterell and Dennis Bulli staved off Kingston CC’s attack to hand the army men the $1-million cash prize and the coveted trophy.

Scores: Kingston 196 & 215-6 declared; JDF 218 & 126-8.

“This is a very sweet victory for us knowing where we are coming from to get here. We knew that Kingston would come at us; we just had to play for time knowing that the runs would be hard to get and so we just went out there and occupied the crease,” an elated Wayne Cuff, coach of JDF, told the Jamaica Observer.

Kingston CC’s captain Brandon King lauded his team for their gallant effort.

“I am a bit disappointed, because the guys put in 100 per cent. We just didn’t bat well in the first innings, to give us a good foundation, so we had to be playing catch-up,” he explained.

Resuming on their first innings overnight score of 142 for six earlier in the day, JDF lost Marlon Pinnock and Cotterell both for four runs. Bulli then smashed six fours and two sixes to make a brisk 51 runs off 46 balls to secure first-innings points for the army men as they posted a lead of 22 runs.

Left-arm finger spinner Patrick Harty ended with five for 55, supported by Paul Harrison and Akim Fraser, who took two wickets each.

Kingston CC in their second innings lost Bryan Clarke shortly before the luncheon interval, caught behind off the bowling of Cotterell. King and hard-hitting opening batsman Andre Bryce then took the bowling apart as the home team raced to 150 runs with just 17 overs on the board.

Both batsmen brought up their half-centuries off 40 deliveries, but their 152-run second wicket stand was broken when Cotterell had King caught for 92.

They then lost four wickets for 42 runs before the declaration came with Bryce unbeaten on 89, and Fabian Forbes on two.

Cotterell grabbed three for 52, while skipper Damion Gray and Leighton Leslie ended with one wicket apiece.

Despite being set a target of 194, JDF only needed to see out 47 overs. However, they were labouring at 30 for two at tea, as they lost openers Bereston Reid (four) and Jermaine Harrison (15).

They were in even more trouble at 51 for three after the resumption, when Joseph Palmer went leg before wicket for 11. Kingston stepped up their attack and at one point had seven fielders around the bat, and it paid off as JDF lost five wickets in quick succession.

Left-hander Rasheed Outar, who is the tournament’s top scorer, led the JDF batting with 64. Harrison took four for 30 to end with match figures of six for 72, while Harty ended with six for 94, and Nicholson Gordon, two for 23.