SANTA CRUZ, St Elizabeth — Champions St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) and newbies May Day High were in a titanic, tension-packed battle for first innings advantage at the close of day two of their Grace Headley Cup cricket final here Wednesday.

Led by a brilliant, fighting unbeaten century (102) by their Jamaica Under-19 all-rounder Reon Edwards, May Day High closed their first innings at 202 all out an hour before lunch.

STETHS built on an opening partnership of 71 between Sean Roye and Tyrek Bryan — both of whom made 48 — to be cruising at 146-2, midway the post-tea session.

However, May Day, urged on by a band of loud, enthusiastic supporters, kept fighting and earned rich rewards, capturing four wickets for 18 runs in late afternoon to give themselves a real chance.

STETHS closed the day at 164 for six in 59 overs.

Fast bowler, Nashayne Mead, a Jamaica Under-17 representative has so far led the way for May Day High, with the ball claiming three for 42. Off-spinner Christopher Lewis (2-38) and left-arm fast bowler Edwards (1-50) provided valuable support.

Kevaun Brown, not out nine from 60 balls, and Kevani Graham unbeaten on four (20 balls), will resume the fight for STETHS Thursday, needing another 39 runs to give their school first innings lead.

With just a day remaining in the game, it may well end in a draw, in which case the team getting a first innings lead will claim the Grace Headley Cup.

That would be an extraordinary achievement for May Day, a school in their first cricket final and which, school leaders say, only started playing competitive cricket in 2017.

Many-time winners STETHS first claimed the all-rural Headley Cup in the late 1970s and has mostly dominated Jamaican school cricket since then.

Resuming the morning at 147-7, with Edwards not out 55, May Day eked out another 55 runs for the loss of their last three wickets as the all-rounder mixed solid defence with decisive aggression and framed the strike expertly. All told, he faced 223 balls in 283 minutes, hitting five sixes and five fours.