A titanic tussle is expected between St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) and Wolmer’s Boys’ when the teams clash in the Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association All-Island Spalding Cup cricket play-off match at STETHS Sports Complex in Santa Cruz.

The three-day encounter is set to begin on Wednesday.

Both teams are riding high after respective victories in the rural area and urban area finals recently.

STETHS, coached by Clive Ledgister, were pushed hard in their six-wicket triumph over May Day High in the rural Grace Headley Cup final in Santa Cruz two weeks ago.

The Jerraine Williams-coached Wolmer’s were far more comfortable in recording an innings- and 192-run win over St Jago High in the Grace Shield final at Melbourne Oval last week to claim the urban title.

The two teams have their fair share of outstanding players, with Wolmer’s Captain Justin Beckford, who struck a century in the Grace Shield final, and his teammate Jordan Johnson, who added a half-century in that match, considered among the top batsmen in schoolboy cricket.

Wolmer’s also boast Alex and Corey Hinds, both sons of former West Indies batsman Wavell, and wicketkeeper Jose Northover, among others.

STETHS also have star potential in impressive fast bowler Govasta Edmond, batsmen Sean Roye and Tariek Bryan, and captain and all-arounder Malique Williams.

Coach Williams told the Jamaica Observer that a keen battle is on the cards.

“I think it’s going to be a good game of cricket, playing against this STETHS team. We know they have some quality cricketers, like we do. It won’t be an easy game but Wolmer’s will be looking to play some good, hard cricket; cricket that people would want at the schoolboy level,” he said.

Usually STETHS, the widely regarded kingpins of school cricket, would start any match as favourites. However, many believe Wolmer’s have the edge entering this contest given their squad depth and form this season.

The Heroes’ Circle-based school should also have added confidence since they beat STETHS — albeit in a different format — in the schoolboy Twenty20 (T20) final last season.

“That T20 victory would’ve given the boys a boost. And we talked about [it] because that was a case [in which] we were basically underdogs and we turned things around. This is a different game, different day, and a different format so we want to play some quality cricket and hopefully we can come out with a good result,” the Wolmer’s coach explained.