DENNERY, St. Lucia, CMC – An unbroken seventh-wicket stand of 43 between Kwame Crosse and Andre Stoll put Guyana within reach of first innings points over the Leeward Islands in the TCL Group West Indies Under-19 Challenge yesterday.

Crosse was not out on 39 and Stoll was not out on 27, as Guyana, replying to the Leeward Islands’ first innings total of 141, reached 133 for six at the close on the first day of their first round match at Dennery Playing Field.

All but seven of Crosse’ runs came in boundaries, and Stoll was the perfect foil with his steady batting, after Guyana themselves ran into trouble at 90 for six.

The Guyanese suffered an early setback, when Harrinarine Chattergoon was caught for two off Leewards captain Adelvin Phillp, who opened the bowling.

Damien Williams also removed opener Brian Sattaur for four, Herell Greene fell to Neno Henry for 14, before Dominique Ricky was run out for 12 to leave Guyana 46 for four.

Kevin Osbourne tightened Leewards’ grip, when he trapped Joemal LaFleur lbw for 15, and bowled Dexter Solomon for two.

But Stoll joined Crosse, and batted for the remainder of the day to steady the ship with their contrasting styles, and put Guyana on course to become the first side to claim first innings honours in this year’s competition.

Spin bowler Osbourne has taken two for 29 from 10 overs for the Leewards.

Earlier, the Leewards, choosing to bat, never gained any momentum in their batting, and were dismissed before tea.

Hayden Walsh, son of the late former Leeward batsman with the same name, hit the top score of 40.

Only four other batsmen reached double figure – Nordel Lake made 28, Phillip scored 12, while Akeem Saunders and Osbourne both got 10.

Spin bowler Amir Khan, the Guyana captain, undermined the Leewards’ batting with four for 49 from 17 overs.

Stoll snared two for 20 from seven overs, Keon Joseph collected two for 24 from 10 overs, and Anthony Adams captured two for 39 from 12 overs.