St Elizabeth Technical (STETHS) number-three batsman Paul Palmer flicks a shot past Port Antonio wicketkeeper Howard Monteque in the Headley Cup cricket final at Chedwin Park yesterday. Palmer closed the day on 73 not out and will resume today with the score at 180-5. - Ian Allen

St Elizabeth Technical are poised to claim a third straight and 22nd overall hold of the rural area ISSA Grace Headley Cup following a dominant second day against first time finalists Port Antonio High at Chedwin Park.

Dismissed for 280 in their first innings on day one, STETHS, who are also seeking the knockout-league double, battled fiercely yesterday, dismissing Port Antonio for 116, led by national Under-19 invitee, off-spinning all-rounder MacKoy Ewart, who claimed 4-16.

hard work

STETHS, who enjoyed a 164-run lead, then closed the day on 180-5, this for an overall lead of 344, with national Under-19 batsman Paul Palmer ending on 73 not out. Brian Gayle 9 not out will also resume batting today.

"I am feeling good about my performance as it seems that all the hard work is paying off," said Ewart, who represented Jamaica at the Under-15 level in 2006.

"It also feels good to know that I am the one who has put my team in this winning position," he added.

When Port Antonio, who resumed at 15 without loss overnight, batted, they were put on the back foot early by former national Under-19 pacer Richard Simpson, who bagged 2-25.

Simpson, bowling with unusual speed for a schoolboy, struck early in the day dismissing two of Port Antonio's batsmen without the addition of a run to the overnight total, a debacle from which they never really recovered.

disappointed

Jamion Gray, a batsman who is also participating in the national Under-19 trials, top-scored for Port Antonio with 29, while captain Horace Grossett made 28. National Under-19 leg-spinner Donovan Nelson, who top-scored in STETHS' first innings with 62 not out, snared 2-48 to best support Ewart and Simpson.

"I am very, very disappointed. We are way behind, almost out of the game," said Port Antonio coach, Carl Brissett. "But we have another day to go and will still be coming out tomorrow (today) and try," he added.

St Elizabeth Technical (STETHS) batsman Paul Palmer attempts to play the ball ahead of Port Antonio wicketkeeper Howard Monteque in the Headley Cup final at Chedwin Park yesterday - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer