Jermaine Lannaman, Star Writer

It will be another all-St Catherine showdown in the final of the urban area ISSA/Grace Shield Premier League competition after defending five-time champions Eltham and last year's beaten finalists, Innswood High, recorded semi-final round victories yesterday.

Eltham, which is based on the outskirts of Spanish Town, progressed after registering an innings and 41 runs win over Norman Manley at Eltham, while Innswood booked their spot after getting the better of Wolmer's on first innings in a drawn encounter at Chedwin Park.

The final will be held next Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at Melbourne Oval.

"Words are inadequate to describe how the team is playing. Our batsmen and bowlers continue to be consistent," said Kirk Gordon, coach of the Old Harbour Road-based, Innswood.

"After losing last year, our plan from the first training session this season is to go one step further and so far, so good," he added.

Innswood topped section two on 11 points, six more than Excelsior, who defeated Tarrant outright by 184 runs at Courtney Walsh Oval, in what was a game of academic interest only. Wolmer's, five, and Tarrant, zero, round off the group.

Eltham, in the meanwhile, topped section one of the semi-final groups on 10 points, the same as second-placed St Catherine, who despite defeating Meadowbrook by an innings and 20 runs at St John's Road, failed to advance by virtue of losing the head-to-head tie between both teams. Norman Manley ended on three points, and Meadowbrook, two.

innings total

At Chedwin Park, after resuming on 260-1 overnight in response to Wolmer's first innings total of 109, Innswood piled up a massive 730-8 declared.

Captain and opener, Oraine Williams, who was 230 not out overnight, went on to make 285, Oshane Morgan 143, while Kemar Foster, who was 70 overnight, fell for 94. Wolmer's, batting a second time, closed on 72-4.

At Eltham, the home team, after bowling out Norman Manley for 77 in their first innings on day one, returned to dismiss the visitors for 88 in their second innings on yesterday's second and final day.

Omar Crighton, three for six, and Joseph Dennie, three for 23, were Eltham's top bowlers, while DeAndre Lee, 33 not out, made the most runs for Norman Manley.

Eltham, in their only turn at bat, made 206 with Jevon Innis getting 50 not out and Oshani Ricketts 33 against Kerron Edwards, three for 48.