Innswood High captain, Oraine Williams

The ISSA/Grace Shield cricket competition will be contested between defending champions Innswood and Norman Manley High.

The two advanced following impressive semi-final performances yesterday.

Innswood, led by a double hundred from captain and opener Oraine Williams, defeated former champions St Jago by an innings and 185 runs at Chedwin Park, while Norman Manley defeated ISSA/First Global 'A' League runners-up Norman Manley at Maxfield Park.

home team

At Chedwin Park, the home team Innswood, backed by 264 from captain and opener Oraine Williams, and 125 from Kemar Foster, declared their second innings at 606 for eight shortly before tea on yesterday's second and final day.

This was in reply to St Jago's first innings total of 84.

St Jago, batting a second time, were then bowled out for 71 with leg-spinner Jermaine Bennett claiming six for 25, and left-arm spinner Stephan Casey two for four.

"It was a good performance, especially given the fact that we went into the match needing first innings to advance," said Innswood coach, Kirk Gordon.

"It was also good to see us scoring the highest team score of the season in either the Grace Shield or Headley Cup, and the hope is that going into the final, we will come out on top once again."

Gordon said he was also looking forward to the final given the fact that in the first round his team got the better of Norman Manley.

"Having defeated them by 190-odd runs in the first round, I think we will be going into the final having a psychological edge, and I am looking forward to us capitalising on this," he said.

overnight score

At Maxfield Park, Norman Manley led by 158 from Kerron Edwards and 123 from Curtis Blair declared at their overnight score of 435 for nine.

This was in response to Mona's first innings score of 106. Mona batting a second time were then bundled out for 144. Leading the way for Norman Manley was off-spinner Joseph Bucknor who, after claiming four for 34 in the first innings, returned to claim four for 33 in the second.

"It was an excellent performance," said Norman Manley coach Karl Stephens.

"Our batsmen gave us runs, and the bowlers did well. We are now looking forward to the final. They (Innswood) defeated us in the first round, but were are not dealing with the past, we are dealing with the present, and will be putting our best foot forward," he added.