ST Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) reaffirmed their status as kings of schoolboy cricket when they defeated Cross Keys High by 94 runs in a lopsided final to retain their Inter-secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA)/Digicel Super-Eight Twenty20 title at Manchester High yesterday.

The Santa Cruz-based team, led by an unbeaten 25-ball half-century from captain Ramaal Lewis, posted a daunting 170-4 from their allotted 20 overs, before restricting their opponents to a paltry 76 all out in 18 overs.

STETHS received the increased cash prize of $350,000, equipment and the coveted trophy. This win completes them successfully defending all four titles won last season. Cross Keys High ($200,000), Eltham High ($100,000) and Munro College ($75,000) were also rewarded for their efforts.

Scores: STETHS 170-4 (20 overs); Cross Keys 76 (18 overs).

Following an emphatic nine-wicket win over Munro College in the semi-final, Cross Keys were expected to put up a good fight, but they had their job cut out for them as STETHS won the toss and chose to take first strike in sunny conditions on a well-prepared surface.

The Clive Ledgister-coached STETHS were given a solid start by Odain McCatty (24) and Romaine Morris, as the two posted an opening stand of 41, before McCatty went caught off Jaleel Meikle. Wicketkeeper/batsman Jevoy Spence joined Morris in the middle and the two added 66 for the second wicket as they pushed the score to 107 when Spence (41) was undone by a straight delivery from Romario Marshall.

Morris went three runs later, caught off the bowling of Jermaine Morgan for 42, and Shahid Crooks fell for two, also off Morgan, after sharing in a 48-run, fourth-wicket stand, dominated by Lewis. The West Indies Under-19 skipper then went about business, slamming six boundaries and three sixes, as he took 15 runs from the 17th over, and 19 from the 18th to end unbeaten on 53.

Michael Frew was the other not out batsman on two. Morgan was the pick of the bowlers with 2-36, while Meikle ended with 1-21.

Cross Keys, in their reply, got off to a miserable start, when they lost Donovan Watson to the third ball of the innings, as the first two overs were maidens. Morgan got into his zone and hit two fours and a six on his way to a top score of 24, before he was removed by Andre McCarthy.

The south Manchester-based team failed to spark in front of their large home crowd as they lost wickets at regular intervals and were reeling at 39-5 at the halfway mark. Despite a cameo by Meikle (15) and Miguel Smith (13), Cross Keys could not recover and eventually surrendered off the last ball of the 18th over.

Michael Frew led the bowling with 3-13, while Leonardo Salmon and Dwight Smith ended with two wickets each.

Meanwhile, Eltham High registered a two-run win over Munro College in a thrilling third-place play-off, which was reduced to 15 overs per side.

Scores: Eltham 105-5 (15 overs); Munro College 103-5 (15 overs).