Melbourne's Yannick Elliott appeals for the dismissal of Manchester's Bryan Clarke in the final of the Jamaica Cricket Association All-Island Limited-Overs competition at Chedwin Park yesterday. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer
A scintillating all-round performance from all-rounder Yannick Elliott carried defending champions Melbourne Kangaroos to a come-from-behind 34-run win over Manchester Lions in the final of the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) All-Island Limited-Overs competition at Chedwin Park yesterday.
Bowling accurate and varied off spin, Elliott, who is a former national youth player, and last year for the first time represented the country at the senior level, bagged 3-56 off nine overs, including four maidens, as Manchester, chasing Melbourne's 159 off 40.2 overs, were bowled out for 25 off 45.5 overs.
silverware
Elliot, who made 25 and claimed the man-of-the-match award, in putting in the best performance on the day, earned his team a third consecutive hold on the title and their 12th in 20 years.
"It's been a long season and to end with some silverware is a great feeling," said Melbourne captain, Carlton Baugh Jr, after the showdown, which signalled the end of the 2009 local cricket season.
"We finished second in the two-day Super League and lost to Manchester in the semi-finals of the Twenty20, and wanted to change that by defending our title. We made a small total, but knew that with Elliott and Nikita Miller in the line-up we stood a chance, and they both bowled very well," he declared.
Manchester who, after winning the Super League and narrowly losing out to St Catherine Saints in the final of the Red Stripe Twenty20 Championship, were hoping to end the season on a high, and after restricting the champions had one hand on the trophy.
Left-arm orthodox spinner David Powell, 2-17 off eight overs, leg-spinner Donovan Sinclair, 2-35 off 10, and pacer Nieve McNally, 2-26 off 5.2 overs, were the chief wicket-takers for Manchester, while Donovan Pagon, 39, and Andre McCarthy, 30, made most runs.
But deciding that they were not going to end the season empty-handed, Melbourne fought back and employed an all-spin attack, and together with some superb fielding they put the Lions under pressure, elements of which led to their eventual demise.
National Under-19 opener Brian Clarke with a patient 105-ball 40, and stylish middle-order batsman Donovan Sinclair, 31, were Manchester's top batsmen.
"It's disappointing, but I am still proud of the guys," said Manchester coach, Barry Barnes.
Melbourne collected $100,000 while Manchester ended $50,000 richer.