Hodge leads Leewards fight back

NORTH SOUND, Antigua,  CMC – A keen battle was developing between the Leeward Islands and Guyana on the third day of their regional Four-day Championship match yesterday.

A half century from Montcin Hodge led a Leeward Islands attempt to recapture the initiative after Guyana had seized first innings advantage on the second day.

Hodge scored 52 runs as the Leewards erased a 97 run deficit after Guyana added only 11 runs to their overnight first innings score of 268 for nine.

At stumps, the Leeward Islands were 240 for six wickets, leading by 143 runs with a whole day of play remaining.

Hodge, batting at a crucial stage for Leewards, has so far spearheaded efforts to consolidate his side’s position hitting nine fours in his 186 minutes at the crease until he was trapped lbw to Davendra Bishoo.

Jahmar Hamilton, who has been playing a major supporting role as well, is unbeaten on 41 after counting five boundaries.

Also featuring in the Leewards rescue mission was the captain Sylvester Joseph who played a fairly aggressive innings to score 39.

Joseph lofted a six and five fours facing 83 balls in 104 minutes at the crease as the Leewards gradually reasserted themselves.

Leewards had slumped to 86 for the loss of two wickets as batsmen struggled to contend with the bowling of the Guyanese captain Veerasammy Permaul.

But Hodge, Hamilton, Joseph and Orlando Peters, who contributed 24 before he was caught, aided the recovery as the Leewards attempt to hand Guyana an insurmountable target.

Permaul is so far the leading Guyanese wicket taker with three for 48.