Sent to bat after Vere won the toss at Manchester High, STETHS recovered from 68 for three to post 363 for five declared from 82 overs, getting a magnificent unbeaten 135 from captain Paul Palmer. When bad light stopped play late in the afternoon, Vere (Garrett Brown 7, Shane Samuels 2) were 16 for one after losing Dwayne Holness for two with the score on six.

First-time semi-finalists

At Chedwin Park, first-time semi-finalists Port Antonio will resume at 17 without loss, after eking out a crucial nine-run first innings lead over Rusea's High. The Portland team won the toss and managed just 147, which looked in trouble when Rusea's eased to 78 for four. However, the Hanover team crashed to 138 all out and will now have to rely on an outright result to qualify for the final.

"We never made much but we were confident we could do something with the total. The plan is to bat as long as ever and keep them out of the game," Port Antonio's coach Carl Brissett told The Gleaner.

- Richard Bryan