SANTA CRUZ, St Elizabeth — Many-time champions St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) held the upper hand against Wolmer’s Boys’ at the close of Wednesday’s rain-hit first day of the all-island Spalding Cup cricket final at STETHS Sports Complex.

When rain tumbled down 25 minutes after lunch, Wolmer’s, asked to bat, were struggling at 109-6 in 34 overs and four balls.

Wet run-ups at both ends led to play being called off by the umpires at 5:00 pm.

All told, 65.2 overs were lost to the weather.

Alex Hinds, unbeaten on 12, and Matthew Aljoe, on 10, are to resume for Wolmer’s, the urban area schoolboy champions, on Thursday’s second day of the three-day contest.

Wolmer’s captain and Jamaica age-group batsman Justin Beckford and Nicoli McKenzie made 28 each and shared a fourth-wicket stand of 48 runs to give their team hope after stumbling at 40-3.

However, they as well as Brian Largie (zero) fell in quick succession as STETHS took control just before the rain.

Off spinner Javid Simpson (3-28), fast bowler Govasta Edmond (2-19) and medium pacer Kevoni Graham (1-19) have been the successful bowlers for STETHS so far.