DEFENDING CHAMPIONS COMBERMERE are a step away from yet another cricket title but The Lodge School will have to wait until next week to have another crack at Alexandra after rain ruined their chance of reaching the final.

The Combermerians trounced Coleridge & Parry by 149 runs yesterday to reach the final of the Barbados Cricket Association's Under-19 Schools One-Day competition.

But Lodge were denied victory after amassing 278 for five in 35 overs off Alexandra at Queen's Street in the other rescheduled semifinal match.

The inform Shamarh Brooks followed up a double century in the Intermediate competition last Saturday with an unbeaten 121, studded with 12 fours and five sixes off 96 balls. Kyle Hope also got among the runs, hitting five fours and four sixes in a knock of 71 off 61 balls.

In reply, Alexandra slipped to 45 for two off six overs, losing the key wicket of Jonathan Carter for four when rain drenched the pitch before groundstaff could get the covers on.

Over at Waterford, Combermere amassed 251 for eight in their allotted 40 overs and then routed Coleridge and Parry for a paltry 102 in 28.4 overs.

Left-handed Shane Murray hit a stroke-filled 59, laced with seven fours and a six off 51 balls as he shared a 96-run fourth-wicket partnership with Reydon Toppin, who hit three sixes in a run-a-ball 43. Carlos Brathwaite also made 49 with five fours and three sixes off 42 balls.

In their turn at the crease, the St Peter lads lost their last seven wickets for only 16 runs after they were 86 for three in the 19th over. Spinners Andre Marshall and Gary Belle shared four wickets to engineer the collapse before pacer Kevin McClean wrapped up the innings, finishing with three for 28.

Summarised scores

At Waterford: Combermere 251-8 in 40 overs (Shane Murray 59, C. Brathwaite 49, R. Toppin 43, A. Ferdinand 25, J. Niles 20 n.o., S. Blackett 16; D. Cummins 3-67, S. Simmons 2-37). Coleridge & Parry 102 in 28.4 overs (A. Towler 24, D. Cummins 22, J. Yearwood 13; K. McClean 3-28, A. Marshall 2-10, G. Belle 2-11, D. Louis 2-30). Combermere won by 149 runs.

At Queen's Street: Lodge 278-5 in 35 overs (Shamarh Brooks 121 n.o. (12x4, 5x6), Kyle Hope 71, R. Arthur 24, K. Corbin 16, D. Sargeant 13; K. Roach 3-43). Alexandra 45-2 in 6 overs (M. Boyce 15, K. Jackman 10 n.o.,). Rain washed out play. (EZS)