SANTA CRUZ, St Elizabeth — Champions St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) took a huge step towards retaining the ISSA/Grace Headley Cup when they gained first-innings advantage over May Day High early on Thursday.

At lunch, May Day were 9-1 in their second innings, still trailing by six runs.

Scores: May Day 202 and 9-1; STETHS 217.

Resuming on the third and final morning with four wickets in hand and needing 39 runs for a first-innings lead, the STETHS lower order batted with the patience of Job to achieve their target an hour and 40 minutes into the morning.

Kevoni Graham, with 19 from 79 balls, and Javid Simpson, who made 17 not out from 49 balls, were instrumental.

Jamaica Under-19 fast bowler Govasta Edmond hit the crucial runs for STETHS, swinging off spinner Christopher Lewis to the midwicket boundary to secure first innings.

Lewis ended with 5-45 from 21 overs and three balls. Fast bowlers Nashane Meade and Reon Edwards shared the other five wickets.

In their reply May Day High lost Christopher Lewis (four), who was bowled by Edmond before the lunch interval.

– Garfield Myers