KINGSTON CC and Melbourne CC had to settle for a share of the spoils as the inclement weather placed a damper on their Zone D encounter in the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) 50-over competition at Melbourne Oval yesterday.

An aggressive knock of 59 by Jon-Ross Campbell had earlier pointed Melbourne CC in the right direction at 116-4 after 16.5 overs in a game reduced to 25 overs per innings when the rain stopped play.

Each teams received one point, which allowed Kingston CC to maintain pole position in the group on 25 points, while second-placed Melbourne CC moved up to 19 points in the competitive zone.

Overnight rainfall forced a lengthy delay to the start of the game as the bowlers’ run-up on either side of the batting strip was soft and had to be reinforced with sawdust, before being left to harden.

After a final inspection at minutes to two, the umpires agreed on a 2:00 pm start, before the spinning of the toss which was won by Melbourne CC.

Tarique White and Andre McCarthy gave the hosts a reasonable start, with White the more aggressive of the two, getting an early lifeline after being dropped by Garth Garvey on eight.

But McCarthy (five) was not so fortunate and stepped on his wicket while attempting a pulled shot-off pacer Fabian Forbes with the score at 22-1.

White carved his way to 16, but was bowled nine runs later when a good delivery from Boris Hutchinson went right through his defence. Campbell then joined Sadiki Bolt in the middle and the two added 84 runs for the third wicket.

Campbell, the aggressor, brought up his half-century off a mere 35 deliveries, including four boundaries and four sixes to push the score up to 115. However, he was later undone by a straight one from left-arm spinner Patrick Harty Jr after playing a loose drive which he failed to get close to the delivery.

Yannick Elliott came and went for naught after being adjudged leg-before-wicket from a full delivery to place Harty Jr on a hat-trick. But Damion Jacobs staved off the hat-trick delivery just before the heavens opened. Harty Jr ended with 2-2, while Hutchinson and Forbes had one apiece.

Kensington CC defeated St Thomas by two wickets in a humdinger at the Goodyear Oval, graced with sunny conditions which allowed the full allotment of overs.

Scores: (St Thomas 161 all out (37 overs); Kensington CC 162-8 (36 overs).

In another Zone D game, Lucas CC defeated Boys’ Town CC by 15 runs in a 30-over-per-innings contest at Collie Smith Drive.

Batting first, Lucas CC were bowled over for 130 off 28.1 overs. Ricardo McGhachy led the way with a composed 57, against Tishawn Lemonious who took 5-15. Kemar Brown (2-19) and Roderick Francis (2-27) got the others.

In reply, Boys’ Town struggled to 79-5 after 16 overs, and later stumbled to 115 off 24.5 overs. Asdel Whitley (34) was the only useful scorer against Markon Guy (3-21), Roshane Bird (3-27) and Orlando Rowe (2-16).

Reigning champions St Catherine CC and Manchester CA’s Zone B encounter at Chedwin Park was called off due to persistent rains. St Catherine CC, who are hunting a quarter-final berth, are now on 19 points, while out of contention Manchester CA now have seven points.

The other Zone B game between unbeaten leaders St Catherine CA and Kingston & St Andrew CA at Ewarton was also rained out. St Catherine CA moved to 25 points, while Kingston & St Andrew moved to seven points.

The top two teams from each of the four zones will advance to next weekend’s quarter-finals.