KINGSTON, Jamaica,  CMC – Leeward Islands’ batsmen stumbled and stuttered and their bowlers then proved listless, as Barbados grabbed the upper hand on the opening day of the first round of matches in the WICB Regional Four-Day, first class season yesterday.

Playing at Kensington Park, Leewards were bowled out for 236 after winning the toss and batting and Barbados had reached 74 without loss in a strong reply, with the enterprising Dale Richards unbeaten on 45.

Several of the Leeward Islands batsmen got starts but failed to carry on as medium pacer Kevin Stoute (3-21) and left-arm spinner Ryan Hinds (3-64) picked up three wickets apiece.

Twenty-year-old Devon Thomas top-scored with 39 and Gavin Tonge (32), Justin Athanaze (31), Omari Banks (31) and Runako Morton (30) all threatened before perishing.

Young sensation Kieran Powell struggled against speedsters Kemar Roach and Pedro Collins and had his middle stump knocked back by an in-swinging no-ball from the former when he had scored two.

He failed to make good use of that opportunity and eventually gave his wicket away when he drove leg-spinner Nikolai Charles to Stoute for 13 at 25 for one, after stroking two fours off 33 balls.

Fellow opener Montcin Hodge followed soon after for 10 when he edged medium pacer Stoute to wicketkeeper Patrick Browne with no addition to the score and Tonito Willett was then adjudged to have edged Hinds through to Browne for 10 at 54 for three, as the Leewards struggled to 60 for three at lunch.

Morton threatened to hold up Barbados’ advance as he stroked four boundaries in an innings that required 94 balls and lasted 90 minutes. He was run out after the break, however, after driving to Roach at mid-off and wandering too far from his crease, leaving Leewards on 74 for four.

When captain Steve Liburd was bowled off the inside edge for 10 by left-arm seamer Collins to make the score 86 for five, the Leewards innings was in strife.

Banks and wicketkeeper batsman Thomas then put on exactly 50 to revive the innings and deny the Barbadian bowlers success.

Banks, who played the last of his 10 Tests for West Indies five years ago, hammered four fours and a six off 52 balls in just over an hour at the crease while Thomas also cracked four fours and a six in an innings spanning 65 balls and 72 minutes.

Hinds eventually broke the partnership when he had Banks caught at short leg by Jason Haynes and Thomas departed when he drove a full toss from leg-spinning all-rounder Shamarh Brooks to Hinds at short cover with the score at 173 for seven.

Tail-enders Athanaze and Tonge then took advantage of curious tactics by captain Hinds to persevere with his left arm orthodox spin from the southern end, while delaying the return of the accurate Stoute, as they added 55 for the eighth wicket.

Athanaze smashed four sixes off 55 balls while Tonge hit five fours and a six off 44 balls and were particularly brutal on both Hinds and Brooks, heaving them for straight sixes.

When Stoute was eventually recalled, he had immediate success when he dismissed both Athanaze and Tonge while Hinds claimed last man Anthony Martin leg before wicket without scoring.

The right-handed Richards then struck six fours and one six from 60 balls while his left-handed partner Haynes hit two boundaries and a five after facing 57 deliveries, as the pair ensured Leewards reaped no success late in the day.