Jermaine Lannaman, Star Writer

St Elizabeth Technical High (STETHS), as expected, gained their 22nd hold on the rural area ISSA Grace Headley Cup after claiming first innings honours in their drawn final encounter against Port Antonio High at Chedwin Park yesterday.

The champions, who led on first innings and resumed yesterday's third and final day on 180-5, declared their second innings on 299-8, for an overall lead of 463 runs.

Paul Palmer, who was not out on 53 overnight, went on to make an unbeaten 108, while his former national Under-15 and Under-17 captain, leg-spinning all-rounder Donovan Nelson, chipped in with 41.

Port Antonio, batting a second time, then reached 98-4 with pacer Richard Simpson getting 2-24 and Nelson 2-22.

"We played some good cricket throughout the three days," said a delighted Clive Ledgister, coach of STETHS.

"We now look towards the Spaulding Cup play-offs where, hopefully, we can go there and play our best game of the season," Ledgister said.

costly bad day

Port Antonio coach, Carl Brissett, said a bad first day cost them the match.

"We lost the match from the first day with a lot of dropped catches and missed stumpings. We had them at 3-53 and 178-8 and let them off the hook. After that we were always playing catch up," explained Brissett.

"We plan to rebuild next year so I don't expect a great deal. But come the next three years we will be back. We only started playing Headley Cup five years ago. So, despite not winning the big one, I think we have a lot to be proud of," he added. STETHS will play Eltham High in the all-island play-off later this month.