GROS ISLET, St Lucia, CMC – A five-wicket haul by Vincentian fast bowler Kenroy Peters and a determined unbeaten 68 from captain Liam Sebastien secured first innings points for the Windward Islands against the Leeward Islands on the opening day of their fifth round clash in the Regional Four-Day Championship here late Friday.
Leewards opted to bat first but slumped to 75 for five at lunch before being eventually dismissed for 121, prompting an early tea.
Only opener Javia Liburd showed any resistance with an even 50 that included six fours and a hooked six off pacer Nelon Pascal .
The left armer Peters, now 30 and playing in his 47th first class match, bowled with consistency to take wickets at regular intervals as he finished with five for 43.
By the close, however, the Windwards had reached 126 for six, a lead of five runs.
Sebastien was unbeaten on a fine 68 while seamer Gavin Tonge snared four for 55.
Earlier, Pascal accounted for Austin Richards caught by wicketkeeper Lindon James for three, flirting at a ball outside off-stump while Montcin Hodge was brilliantly caught at third slip by Keddy Lesporis diving full length to his right, to leave the Leewards 39 for two.
Lesporis had earlier dropped Hodge at the same position before he had scored.
Peters got into the act sending back captain Gavin Williams caught by James for one, and then yorked Devon Thomas for seven at 54 for four.
Liburd eventually played back to a delivery from left-arm spinner Garey Mathurin and was trapped lbw before Peters returned to hurt the Leewards again, inducing Jahmar Hamilton to lob a catch square on the off side to Atticus Browne to fall for 21.
Tonito Willet fished outside off-stump and was caught at second slip by Andre Fletcher for seven and Justin Athanaze followed soon afterwards, bowled for two.
Haydn Walsh then nibbled one behind for 17 before the innings ended when Martin was run out by Pascal without scoring.
The Windwards started poorly, however, crashing to 20 for three with Devon Smith (4), Fletcher (5) and Lesporis (8) all out quickly.
However, Sebastien hit 10 fours, dominating a sixth wicket partnership of 59 with Dalton Polius (25) before the latter became the fourth of wicketkeeper Thomas’ victims on the night, edging off-spinner Athanaze behind.
