MANDEVILLE, Manchester — May Day High remained optimistic about pulling off a comeback win even as Manchester High tightened their grip on proceedings in the three-day Inter-secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA)/Grace Headley Cup final.

At the close of play on Thursday at Manchester High School, May Day were 66-3 in search of 291 runs for victory.

Left-hander Javed Williams is not out 29, while Nashane Meade is on 10.

Scores: Manchester 219 (58.2 ovs) & 189 (52.1 ovs); May Day 118 (33.4 ovs) & 66-3 (30 ovs).

May Day Head Coach Oral Simpson lamented some of the shot selection from his team.

“We know that we have the ability… what is lacking is that we are just being too aggressive,” he said.

“This is a final and we are not going to give up until the last ball,” Simpson added.

Barry Barnes, the Manchester High head coach, rued that his team didn’t claim at least one more wicket before the close.

“I think the boys gave it their all, although I’m disappointed [because] we wanted one more wicket [before close]. The game is still open because this is schoolboys, so I’m not calling it as yet,” Barnes said.

Earlier in the day, May Day failed to add to their overnight 118-9 in the first innings, losing the wicket of Phillando Whyte (one) to the bowling of Manchester High’s Rhevon Morgan, only the fourth delivery of the morning.

Rhevon Morgan ended with 5-17, while Matthew Morgan grabbed 2-43.

Armed with a 101-run first-innings lead, Manchester High started their second innings solidly despite losing top-scorer Matthew Morgan (53) on the stroke of lunch as they entered the break at 95-3.

The in-form Matthew Morgan, who made a century and a half century as they got the better of 2023 champions St Elizabeth Technical in the semi-finals, was again the mainstay of the Manchester batting. His 84-ball knock, which featured six fours, follows the 46 he made in the first innings of this match.

Pajay Nelson, another hero from last week’s semi-final during which he made a second-innings half century, batted with clear discomfort on Thursday after he had earlier retired hurt with a thigh injury.

He was eighth man out for a run-a-ball 36, guiding the lower order like he did during his first-innings 67.

But his dismissal signalled the end as Manchester were bowled put for 189 in their second innings, giving them a lead of 290.

For May Day, spinner Christopher Lewis and national youth pacer Nashane Meade finished with 3-19 and 3-76, respectively, while Mark Barrett had 2-12.

Facing a mountainous run chase, May Day were reduced to 6-2 and then 43-3 before Williams and Meade shepherded them to the close without further loss.