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Francis bags seven wickets to send Kensington into Senior Cup final
June 03, 2025
A magnificent spell of left arm spin bowling from Kensington Cricket Club's Ryan Francis helped to secure first innings honours over Clarendon Cricket Association and a place in this weekend's final against St Catherine Cricket Club in the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) Michael Holding Senior Cup, following semi-final action on the weekend at Jamalco Sports Club.
Francis sent down 18.2 overs and snared seven for 42, as Clarendon, chasing 181 for first innings, were dismissed for 150 just before lunch on Sunday's second day.
Resuming on 109 for five and still needing another 73 runs for first innings, Clarendon found themselves in early trouble at the start of the second day as pacer Anthony Dacres trapped Troy Allen for six with the score on 127. Then Francis came in on the act, as he sent back the innings' top-scorer Odain McCatty for 58 to leave host Clarendon on 127 for seven.
From there it went all downhill for Clarendon as Francis sent back the remaining batters, including Krishmar Santokie for nine, Jermaine Thomas for 10 and Mickel Silva for a duck. Pacer Dacres supported with two wickets for 24 runs, while there was a wicket for legspinner Tamarie Redwood.
Batting a second time, Kensington reached 39 for one when rain ended the contest, with captain Leroy Lugg unbeaten on 25 and Savio Jones on four.
Earlier, Kensington's first innings total of 181 was built largely around a valiant knock of 86 off 99 balls from all-rounder Jamie Hay.
Hay's knock could not have come at a better time, as Kensington were in a spot of bother at 88 for seven in the 31st over. Jones weighed in with a gritty 30, while opener Corey Hinds made 27. Perico Henry had done the brunt of the damage with four wickets for 56 runs.
Player of the match Francis was pleased that his efforts got his team over the line and into another Senior Cup final.
"It's a proud moment for me and I am glad we came out on top. My variations were working well for me because I saw that the wicket was cracking up from the first day and it was going to take a lot of spin, which I exploited. I am pleased for this crop of youngsters and the development of Kensington CC and we can only hope to take it all the way from here."
The final of the Michael Holding Senior Cup will be played at Ultimate Oval in St Ann, from June 7-8.
