Innswood High staved off a valiant comeback from Excelsior High yesterday to claim a 36-run victory in the three-day ISSA/Grace Shield cricket final at Melbourne Oval.

Chasing a huge target of 368 runs for victory, Excelsior, boosted by Captain Raewin Senior’s mature 91, made 331 all out.

Scores: Innswood 223 (56 overs) & 337 (88 overs); Excelsior 193 (49.5 overs) & 331 (89.4 overs).

Innswood skipper Jeavor Royal, who also struck a second-innings century, claimed 5-114 with his left-arm finger spin to end with 10 wickets in the match.

Another left-arm finger spinner, Kevin Peterson, took 3-50.

Resuming yesterday from their overnight score of 336-9, Innswood added only one before losing their final second-innings wicket.

Royal had top-scored with 109 from Wednesday’s second day, while Excelsior off-spinner Kirk McKenzie claimed 3-114. McKenzie was supported by fellow off-spinner English (2-28).

Early in their chase, Excelsior lost the wicket of Okachi Brown for zero, however, left-hand opener Kirk McKenzie and Akeem Malcolm patiently added 62 runs for the second wicket.

But Innswood maintained their grip on proceedings when Royal accounted for both McKenzie (36) and Malcolm (43).

The fifth Excelsior wicket fell at 144 and it seemed Innswood would wrap up the lower middle order but Senior, dropped on 35, found able company in the form of left-hander Brandon English.

It was tense heading into the tea break as Excelsior, riding the momentum, were 210-5 with Senior on 58 and Brandon English on 32.

However, after the interval English added only a further run before he was run out. Their sixth-wicket partnership was 69.

Chances of an epic Excelsior win remained on the cards as long as national youth batsman Senior remained at the crease.

But Senior drove aerially back down the wicket but the bowler Peterson parried the ball before stepping forward to catch.

Senior’s 91 comprised five fours and a six from 143 balls. The 83-run partnership between him and Danvil Wollaston carried them to 296 but with seven wickets down the task became virtually impossible.

And the last flame was effectively doused when Wollaston, who survived three chances on his way to 57, was bowled late in the day going for a big hit against Royal.

— Sanjay Myers