Manchester to face STETHS; Tacky play CC in ISSA/TVJ Super 8 semis

The semi-finalists for this year's ISSA/TVJ Super 8 Twenty20 competition have been decided, with rural double champions Manchester High set to face archrivals St Elizabeth Technical (STETHS), and Zone B winners Tacky High battling Clarendon College at a date and venue to be declared this week.

Manchester High brushed aside Clarendon College in their final Zone A preliminary group match to book their place with a table-topping seven points. Clarendon, despite the loss, advanced over Kingston College via head-to-head after both teams ended on four points.

Manchester coach Barry Barnes is wary that the remaining teams will be coming hard for the double champions, who have already secured the Headley Cup and the rural area T20 title.

"I know it will be a hard task, with everybody coming for Manchester because we have been playing some good cricket. I think we have a lot to lose based on how we are playing, but we are up for it. As long as the boys are focused, we will get over the line."

Standing in their way for another appearance in the final are St Elizabeth Technical, who finished runners-up in Zone B. STETHS eliminated last year's beaten finalists Excelsior High, and their coach Karl Wright is banking on that momentum to carry them to the Super 8 T20 finale.

"Hopefully, we can use our last win as a stepping stone. It has been a long, hard season, and the guys are fighting very hard. I hope we can pull through the semis and make St Bess proud."

The other semi-final will see perennial contenders and Zone A winners Tacky High facing Clarendon College, who can be handy on their day.