ST THOMAS, US Virgin Islands, CMC – Leeward Islands survived a scare from the Windward Islands before securing a 28-run victory, 25 minutes before lunch on the final day of their final round WICB Regional four-day match yesterday.

Starting the day seemingly poised to complete an easy victory after reducing the Windwards to 110-7 at the close on Monday, the Leewards were forced to sweat before finally dismissing the visitors for 220 at the Adelita Cancryn Ground.

Fast bowler Gavin Tonge claimed Mervin Matthew for 11 early in the morning with the score on 125 but they were then held up by some defiant, counter-attacking batting from Shane Shillingford and Deighton Butler.

Shillingford hammered 57 from 99 balls with six fours and one six and shared a crucial 84-run stand for the ninth wicket with Deighton Butler who hit a fighting 43 from 57 balls with four fours and a six.

The pair pushed the score to 209 before Leewards got the breakthrough when Butler was caught by captain Steve Liburd at forward short leg, prodding at a delivery from leg-spinner Anthony Martin that bounced.

With just 11 runs added, Windwards’ hopes of pulling off an unlikely victory were ended when Butler succumbed to one shot too many, caught at long on by Brent Defreitas off Martin attempting to clear the boundary.

Tonge finished with 5-44 while Martin chipped in with three for 36.

Despite the loss, however, Windwards claimed second place in the standings with 79 points behind winners Jamaica.  Leewards finished on 77 points to claim third place.