BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – Windward Islands conjured up an remarkable performance to whip Leeward Islands by six wickets and snatch the Regional Under-19 one-day title here yesterday.
Starting the final round in third spot and 9.5 points adrift of leaders Guyana, the Windwards accumulated an amazing 4.5 bonus points to secure the 10.5 points needed and dramatically emerge winners at Kensington Oval.
Opting to bat first, the Leewards were bundled out for 147 off 44.3 overs with nine of the 10 wickets taken by the Windwards seamers, allowing them to pick up precious bonus points.
The Windwards then raced to their target off 36.1 overs with Taryck Gabriel stroking an unbeaten 60.
With the victory, the Windwards leapfrogged Guyana to finish on 35 points with the Guyanese, who sat out the final round with a bye, a point back in second.
Windwards coach Raymond Duncan praised his players’ effort.
“We came up big when it mattered most, that was today. We needed a win and we also needed some Bonus Points, so we used four pace bowlers and they did the job for us,” Duncan said.
“We showed that we have quality in our bowling department and I am happy with the way the boys went about the job today.
He added: “We started the tournament slowly but you could see we got better and better as the tournament went on. It is good that the boys have something to take home and after a month of hard work during the tournament I’m sure they will cherish this victory for a long time.”
Jamaica, who started the day in second spot and 8.5 points behind Guyana, were frustrated as wet conditions forced their match against Barbados to be abandoned at Bayfield without a ball bowled.
Similar conditions at Pine Basin also ruined the contest between Trinidad and Tobago and ICC Americas.
The Jamaicans finished third on 27.5 points with Barbados fourth on 21.5 points and T&T fifth on 13.5 overs.
ICC Americas finished one from bottom on 13.5 points with the Leewards last on eight points.
The Leewards lost quick wickets at the top of the order and only Ashawn Hodge with 21 off 52 balls made it past 20.
They were 54 for four at the end of the 20th before Hodge and wicketkeeper Dymon Parris (10) put on 28 for the fifth wicket.
Once Hodge fell lbw to left-arm seamer Preston McSween (2-33) in the 29th over, the innings collapsed.
Seamers Gidron Pope (2-22) and Ray Jordan (2-26) chipped in with two wickets apiece.
The Windwards made a dodgy start to their run chase when Keon George fell for a first-ball “duck” with the score on four in the second over but Gidron Pope stroked 27 and captain Jerlani Robinson (17) in adding 49 for the second wicket.
Both were removed within 28 balls of each other to leave the Windwards on 69 for three in the 16th but Gabriel stepped up to see his side home.
He hit five fours and a six off 72 balls, adding 41 for the fourth wicket with Junior Henry (10), as the Windwards cruised to victory.
