Many-time champions Melbourne CC are in a strong position against St Thomas CA heading into today’s second and final day of the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) Senior Cup final at Sabina Park.

At the close of play yesterday, Melbourne were 38-2 in their second innings to hold an overall lead of 108 runs.

Before that, St Thomas could only manage 111 in response to Melbourne’s first-innings score of 181.

Scores: Melbourne 181 (50.4 overs) & 38-2 (10 overs); St Thomas 111 (40.1 overs).

Earlier, St Thomas won the toss and sent Melbourne to take first strike in bright sunlight — a far cry from the rainy conditions that have engulfed much of the Corporate Area the last couple of days.

And the handful of spectators were treated to competitive cricket, even if the batsmen generally failed to apply themselves on a pitch that offered turn for the spin bowlers.

Melbourne quickly fell to 26-2 after losing opener Tareque White for zero and left-hander Steven Taylor for seven.

But left-hand opener Trevon Griffith (55) and number four batsman Andre McCarthy (63) both scored half-centuries to steady the ship.

The pair, who represent Jamaica Scorpions in the regional cricket tournament, added 97 runs for the third wicket.

McCarthy hit eight fours and a six off 86 balls, while Griffith struck six fours and a six off 80 balls.

After that partnership was broken, Melbourne’s innings plummeted.

The only other player to reach double figures was number eight batsman Nikita Miller, who made 21.

Middle-order batsman Sadiki Bolt, watched from the George Headley stands by his sprint superstar brother Usain, were among those to fall cheaply for Melbourne for eight runs.

The tall pacer Keno Wallace, who got steep bounce from the pitch in his second spell in the afternoon, grabbed 4-39 off 11 overs for St Thomas.

Wrist spinner Kenroy Williams took 3-36 off 14 overs, while left-arm seamer Gavon Brown supported with 2-35 off 10 overs.

St Thomas, in reply, just could not handle Melbourne’s two left-arm spinners Christopher Lamont and Miller.

The first-time finalists fell from 70-3 and were dismissed for 111.

During their collapse, the last five wickets fell for 14 runs.

In that time, there was plenty of on-field excitement. Carlton Baugh, the sidelined West Indies Test wicketkeeper, who left boyhood club Melbourne to go to St Thomas ahead of last season’s Senior Cup tournament, walked to the crease at number seven. He cracked a four through the off-side off Jamaica Scorpions teammate Miller to the first ball he faced.

In the same over, Miller’s loud shout for leg before wicket was turned down by the umpire.

But Baugh went not long after when he was trapped lbw to Melbourne’s other front-line left-arm finger spinner Lamont for nine runs.

The bowler ended with 5-38 off 19 overs and one ball, while his senior partner Miller snared 4-21 off 12 overs.

Openers Kenroy Williams (28) and Kevin Williams (14) and number three batsman Chevon Simpson (14) were the only St Thomas players to reach double figures.

Batting a second time, Melbourne’s first-innings heroes Griffith, on 15 not out, and McCarthy, with an unbeaten 11, ensured they stretched the lead to over 100 runs.

But before that, left-armer Brown ensured White made naught in both innings when he bamboozled and bowled the hard-hitting batsman with a pin-point yorker.

Brown has taken both wickets to fall and has figures of 2-22 off four overs for St Thomas.