KINGSTON and St Elizabeth will once again contest the final of the Kingston Wharves Under-15 cricket tournament after recording contrasting victories in their respective semi-final encounters yesterday.

Kingston, led by a top score of 43 by wicketkeeper/batsman Geordae Seymour, posted a respectable total before Razaq Williams took four for 24 in an 89-run win over Portmore at Lucas Cricket Club.

The final is scheduled for Friday at Sabina Park.

Scores: Kingston 199-7 (40 overs); Portmore 110 all out (23.2 overs).

After being asked to take first strike, Kingston went about their innings at a moderate pace and lost a few quick wickets in the process. But Seymour injected some tempo to the innings, striking three quick boundaries and a six to push the score along. Captain Okachie Brown with an unbeaten 22 and Akithik Amin (23) were the next best scorers, against Sachin Simms’ two for 24.

Portmore’s reply started briskly with 11 runs coming off the first over, but Williams, bowling his off-spin, removed the top-order batsmen for 46 runs, which signalled the turning point of the innings.

The visitors lost wickets at regular intervals and later succumbed to defeat in the 24th over. Ricardo Thompson (21) was the best scorer. Danville Walliston (2-24) and Rajiv Redhi (2-9) also got in on the act.

Meanwhile, champions St Elizabeth remained on course to defend their title with a five-wicket win over St Ann at Ultimate Sports Complex in St Elizabeth.

Scores: St Ann 81 all out (30.5 overs); St Elizabeth 83-5 (12.2 overs).

Having scored over 1,000 runs since the start of the tournament, the in-form St Ann outfit was expected to prove a handful for the champions. But after being asked to take first strike the batsmen found runs hard to come by and were eventually knocked over for a paltry total in a weak attempt.

Kevon Hinds was the only useful scorer with 22 against Romain Jacob who grabbed 3-16. Romario Moxom (2-10) and Roberto Simpson (2-16) shared the other wickets.

St Elizabeth made heavy weather of the run chase and were in a spot of bother losing three wickets with eight runs on the board. However, a composed knock of 41 by Moxom proved enough to secure victory despite a fiery attack by Michael Thompson, who took all five wickets for 47 runs.