KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – Skipper Dalton Polius grabbed a four-wicket haul with his off-spin to propel Windward Islands to a 73-run first innings lead over Guyana in their third round, TCL Group West Indies three-day Cup match yesterday.

Playing on the second day of the game at Sabina Park, Polius snared four for 35 to take his tally for the tournament to 18, as Guyana were dismissed for 142 all out after resuming the day on 71 for two.

By the close, the Windwards had extended their lead to 233 going into the final day, reaching 163 for seven, led by Sunil Ambris’ 46.

Wickets tumbled early as Guyana lost six batsmen for three runs in 28 minutes to capitulate at lunch, despite an unbeaten 38 from Royston Alkins.

Due mainly to ill-advised shot selection on a good batting track, Guyana slumped from 77 for two to 80 for eight in quick time.

Alkins, who batted positively in his attractive innings and Totaram Bishun who resisted for an hour to score 15, added 52 for the ninth wicket to stage a late order recovery before Bishun was run out at 132 for nine.

In fact Guyana could have been dismissed for under 100 but the Windwards floored seven catches in the first session and gave Alkins four chances.

In sweltering heat, Guyana quickly lost overnight batsman Trevon Griffith for 34, adding just three before he edged one from Polius that bounced and turned.

Griffith’s dismissal triggered a dramatic middle order collapse as the innings went into terminal decline.

Left-arm spinner Kavem Hodge supported Polius with two for 25.

Openers Hubert Joseph (28) and Atticus Browne (19) then posted 52 to give the Windwards a good start, before Alex Amsterdam (2-22) clawed Guyana back into the match.