Yesterday at Martindale's Road, Foundation defeated The St. Michael School by eight wickets to top Zone ``A'' and advance to the final, where they will meet neighbours Deighton Griffith.
Foundation's triumph came with nearly an hour's play left. It was a truly masterful allround performance which ensured they will make a third trip to the final.
Going into the final round needing an outright win to pip St. Michael, Foundation did all the hard work, dismissing the home side for 23 on the opening day and made 48 for nine declared. St. Michael raced to 54 for one at the close of Day 1, but Foundation swiftly dismissed them for 99 and then erased the target with just two wickets down.
The win came in grand style when opener Ryan Wiggins pulled a short ball from St. Michael pacer Andre Barrow over the square-leg boundary. Wiggins ended on 40 not-out which included three fours and the match-winning six.
Coach Dennis Osbourne said it was a good feeling to reach the final for the third time.
``The lads played well and have reaped their rewards,'' Osbourne said. ``We now have to make it third time lucky at BET and break the jinx that plagued us in the last two finals.''
For St. Michael, who led the zone for most of the eight-week competition, it was heart-breaking and most of the players cried openly after the defeat.
``It's hard for the boys when they played well and lose out at the end,'' coach Noel Gittens said. ``They should however not be disappointed as they played well throughout and showed the commitment and application which was required.''
Summarised Scores
ZONE ``A''
At Martindale's Road: St. Michael School 23 and 99 (D. Cozier 19, J. Joseph 17, J. Morris 18; D. Farrell 4-23, R. Morris 2-12, R. Wiggins 2-17, J. Forde 2-21) . Foundation 48-9 declared and 76-2 (R. Wiggins 40 not out, D. Farrell 15, S. Blenman 14 not out). Foundation won by eight wickets.
At Waterford: Queen's College 94 and 149 (D. Shepherd 35, R. Sealy 32, A. Harrison 29; K. Payne 2-23, C. Shockness 2-22, S. Haynes 2-5). Combermere 144 (J. Leacock 35, S. Bennett 27, C. Shockness 14; Jamal Blunt 5-43, B. Ward 2-20). Match drawn
At Bayville: Ellerslie 127 and 98-3 (Kemar Hall 50, K. Stoute 36, J. Codrington 2-7). Garrison 196 (Arturo Watts 70, Marcus Marshall 57; J. Smith 3-47, K. Hall 2-14, A. Manjera 2-44). Match drawn.
ZONE ``B''
At Six Roads: Princess Margaret 127 and 84-7 declared (D. Brathwaite 35, N. Moseley 22, D. Bishop 2-17, K. Watkins 2-8). Deighton Griffith 34 and 100-6 (Derrick Bishop 61; R. Weekes 4-9). Match drawn.
At Belleplaine: Harrison College 128 (Emelike Edghill 47, T. Layne 37, H. Turton 11; Rommel Small 6-52, C. Hinkson 3-19) and 84 (Emelike Edghill 43 – ended season with 590 runs, D. Sealy 18; Rommel Small 5-53 – match figures 11-105, C. Hinkson 3-24). Alleyne School 53 (J. Noel 19; E. Edghill 3-16, D. Hurley 3-10, M. Brathwaite 2-10, A. Edwards 2-7) and 99 (N. Alleyne 47, C. Walcott 20; Andre Edward 5-11 – including a hat-trick, D. Sealy 2-28, E. Edghill 2-23). Harrison College won by 60 runs.