Captain Ramaal Lewis hit a stroke-filled century, then took 4-22 with his off-breaks as defending champions St Elizabeth Technical High School took complete control of the ISSA/Grace Headley Cup final against Munro College at Treasure Beach Sports Park yesterday.

Munro, in their first Headley Cup final since 1974, will resume today at 77-7 in reply to STETHS’ 298 all out.

Sent to bat on a slow pitch with variable bounce, STETHS lost early wickets before Lewis took control. Arriving at the crease at 72-3, Lewis, the West Indies and Jamaica Under-19 captain, hit an 86-ball 104, while dominating a fourth-wicket partnership of 143 runs with Shahid Crooks, who made 65.

Lewis, who also hit a century in the semi-final against Vere Technical, smashed 11 fours and five sixes before falling leg before wicket yesterday, swinging across the line to the off-spinner Mark Parchment.

The fluent Crooks followed shortly after, smartly stumped off Parchment, having hit five sixes and one four in 115 balls.

STETHS lost their way thereafter with the last six wickets falling for 72 runs.

Munro’s fast bowler Deveraine Rowe took 3-16, supported by off-spinners Parchment and Marlon Johnson, who claimed 3-37 and 2-20, respectively.

Munro started their reply steadily with openers David Curtis (20) and Owen Campbell (20) sharing a stand of 48 runs. But once Campbell was trapped lbw by an arm ball from the tall left-arm spinner Lenardo Salmon, Munro went into decline.

Salmon ended with 3-14 in support of his captain as both benefited from sharp turn and bounce late on the first day’s play.

— Garfield Myers