SANTA CRUZ, St Elizabeth — Defending champions Manchester High are set to host Holmwood Technical, while many-time winners St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) are to travel to Tacky High in St Mary for the semi-finals of the ISSA rural Grace Headley Cup from April 1-3.

The semi-final matches were decided following the last quarter-final round matches on Wednesday and Thursday.

Most notably, Manchester High, behind incisive fast bowling and disciplined batting, made a massive statement of intent, beating arch-rivals STETHS by nine wickets in their top-of-the-table Group A clash at STETHS Sports Complex in Santa Cruz.

Tacky High, runaway leaders of Group B, saw their scheduled contest with Garvey Maceo High rained out, while the game between Dinthill Technical and Vere Technical was not played.

However, Holmwood Technical ended the quarter-final stage with an exclamation mark, hammering May Day High by 511 runs.

At STETHS Sports Complex, the Barry Barnes-coached Manchester High beat the hosts by nine wickets.

Fast bowlers Roshawn Mckenzie (3- 21), Kelon Jones (3-28), Rasheed Harriott (2-15), supported by offspinner Barrington Simpson (2-11) first dismissed STETHS for 84.

The tall, wiry McKenzie, who represented STETHS up to last season, struck the most decisive blows, removing Tyriek Bryan (10), and gifted 17-year-old Odane Binns (8) in his first spell. STETHS stumbled to 23 for four and never recovered. Jahliel Smith, at number nine in the batting order, top-scored with 22 for the home team.

Manchester High then batted sensibly to achieve victory at 88 for one with opener Orane Wright unbeaten on 64. West Indies Under-19 fast bowler Deshawn James (1-17) was the lone wicket taker for the Carl Wright-coached STETHS team.

At Holmwood Technical, the home team warmed up for the task ahead, emphatically thrashing May Day High.

Romero Salmon (126) Richard Myles (101) and Ricardo Burton (50) led the way as the home team piled up 563 all out against Devar Murray (4-205) and Mark Barrett (3-89).

May Day were skittled for 52 as Rickelmi Ennis took six for 26 and Throyan Palmer four for 15.

—Garfield Myers