There was little or no emotion as St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) cricket captain Tyriek Bryan accepted the trophy for winning the all-rural ISSA/GraceKennedy General Insurance Headley Cup title from George Henry, the chairman of rural schools cricket.

“We are waiting to win the Spaulding Cup, that’s when we will celebrate,” Bryan said when quizzed by the Jamaica Observer following the post-match presentation on Friday.

After overcoming 2024 winners Manchester High by virtue of first-innings advantage in the rain-hit, drawn three-day final, many-time Headley Cup champions STETHS are to meet Grace Shield urban champions Excelsior High in the quest for the all-island Spalding Cup supremacy, April 22-24.

STETHS, long considered the leading cricket-playing school in Jamaica, first won the Headley Cup in 1979. According to STETHS principal and ISSA (Inter Secondary Schools Sports Association) President Keith Wellington, the latest triumph had brought the number of cricket titles won by his school “to close to 40”. He claimed STETHS had now won more cricket titles than any other school in any sports competition organised by ISSA.

Wellington described himself as “elated” that the “young” STETHS team was continuing “to show that the talent is here”. He added: “We would want them to continue showing that cricket discipline and general discipline in order to build on the dynasty of the last 40 plus years.”

Rain on Thursday afternoon, through the night and into early Friday, which led to seepage under the covers — triggering controversial allegations of neglect — spoilt what had seemed likely to be an exciting end to the latest final at the STETHS Sports Complex.

As it turned out there was no play on Friday’s last day, an early afternoon shower — though brief — convincing the umpires and all concerned that a draw was the only possible result.

Scores: Manchester 117 & 93-4; STETHS 233.

After winning the toss and electing to bat on the first day, Manchester High were undermined by STETHS seamers Delantae Scott (3-17), Adrian Silvera (3-23) and spinner Bryan (2-31) on a pitch which occasionally exhibited unexpectedly low bounce.

Led by an accomplished 73 from Odane Binns, with support from Bryan (37) and Jahliel Smith (37), STETHS then built a priceless first-innings lead of 116.

After stumbling badly at 27-3 in their second innings, Manchester High, led by middle order batsman Rhevon Morgan’s counter-attacking, unbeaten 41, were within 23 runs of forcing STETHS to bat a second time when rain had the final say in mid-afternoon on the second day.

STETHS coach Carl Wright applauded his players for what he said was their pride, motivation and desire after losing to Manchester High in the rural Twenty20 final on Monday. He recalled that STETHS had also lost to Manchester High at the Headley Cup quarter-final round — by nine wickets.

“I am very impressed. [The players] showed guts and character,” said Wright, a former Jamaica wicketkeeper/batsman.

He downplayed not having West Indies Under-19 fast bowler Deshawn James who missed this week’s final as well as the recent T20 final because of a back strain. Wright noted that James’s replacement Delantae Scott performed admirably.

“Yes, we missed our main bowler but somebody had to replace him and he did well,” said Wright.

Manchester High’s coach Burtram Barnes applauded STETHS for playing good cricket “especially on the first day” and wished them well in the Spalding Cup. He also had high praise for his players who were experiencing their first setback of the schoolboy cricket season.

However, Barnes insisted that the umpires and ground staff were “negligent” and at fault for seepage which left the last few steps of the bowlers’ run up at both ends muddy; as well as wet spots on a length at the northern end of the pitch.

He was particularly critical of the umpires, claiming they failed to properly carry out their supervisory role to protect the playing area.

“It was all very unfortunate,” said Barnes.

The match officials declined to comment on the record when approached by the Observer.

— Garfield Myers