SANTA CRUZ, St Elizabeth – St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) secured a vital first-innings advantage against Wolmer’s Boys’ on Friday in the hotly contested all-island Spalding Cup schoolboy cricket play-off match at STETHS Sports Complex.

Immediately after the lunch break on the third and final day, with rain clouds closing in on the venue, STETHS were bowled out for 178, pulling ahead of Wolmer’s first-innings score of 166.

If there is no outright winner, STETHS will lift the title on the strength of their narrow first-innings advantage. Rain had wiped out over 60 overs on Wednesday and approximately 30 overs on Thursday.

Scores: Wolmer’s 166; STETHS 178.

STETHS began Friday morning on 97-5 and lost Odel Samuels after adding only one run to their overnight score.

But Kevoni Graham (39) and Odane Binns (30) added a game-changing 62 runs that brought the hosts within a whisker of taking first-innings honours.

Both were dismissed one run apart and Govasta Edmond (four) fell with the scores level before umpires called for lunch.

STETHS got a single from the first ball on the resumption to inch ahead, as home supporters cheered loudly

The innings was wrapped up moments later with STETHS claiming a 12-run lead.

Jordan Johnson, bowling wrist spin, took four wickets for Wolmer’s.

– Sanjay Myers