GROS ISLET, St Lucia, – The Windward Islands showered themselves in glory after pulling off an emphatic seven-wicket win over the Leeward Islands to ensure their capture of the 2010 TCL Group West Indies Under-19 Challenge title yesterday.
Chasing 135 for victory on the final day of the final round of matches, the Windwards coasted to victory just before tea at the Beausejour Cricket Ground to complete a superb campaign.
Kavem Hodge stroked an unbeaten 69 as the Windwards romped to 137 for three in 43 overs. The leading Windwards batsman in the tournament with a century earlier in the tournament, Hodge stroked nine fours and faced 103 balls in a responsible knock.
Rudolph Paul was undefeated on 20 when victory was posted while Emmanuel Peter, who featured in a crucial third wicket stand of 82 with Hodge, contributed 22.
Earlier, the Leewards last wicket pair put up little resistance as their side were bowled out for 118 after resuming the day 103 for nine.
Lechin Phipps struck a defiant 21 before being trapped in front by Rudolph Paul, who ended with returns of four for 54 while fast bowler Bronte Bess claimed three for 15 and Kavem Hodge, two for 39.
The Windwards stuttered early in their chase when opener Denis Smith was leg before to Jamal Fernandez for 12.
His opening partner Atticus Browne failed to get off the mark, spooning a catch to Nino Henry at mid on off Damian Williams that left the Windwards struggling at 17 for two.
However, Hodge and Peter combined in a match-winning stand to steer their side to within sight of victory.
The victory took the Windwards to 39 points in the championship, having gone into the final round as leaders on 27 points.
SCOREBOARD
LEEWARDS 1st Innings 226
WINDWARDS 1st Innings 210
LEEWARDS 2nd Innings
(overnight 103 for nine)
J Fernandez lbw b Bess 0
+D Benta c Alexander b J. Paul 0
A. Saunders c wkpr Smith b Bess 18
H Walsh c wkpr Smith b Bess 4
S Burton c Bess b Hodge 27
* R Cornwall lbw b R. Paul 23
N. Henry b R. Paul 3
W Mintus c Peter b R. Paul 5
L Phipps lbw b Paul 21
D Williams c and b Hodge 9
L Lake not out 4
Extras (lb1, w2, nb1) 4
TOTAL (all out, 46.2 overs) 118
Fall of wickets: 1-2, 2-3, 3-19, 4-26, 5-60, 6-69, 7-83, 8-85, 9-95, 10-118.
Bowling: Bess 8-2-15-3, J. Paul 6-2-18-1, R. Paul 17.2-4-45-4, Hodge 15-2-39-2.
WINDWARDS 2nd Innings
D Smith lbw b Fernandez 12
A. Browne c Henry b Williams 0
K. Hodge not out 69
E. Peter c Cornwall b Walsh 22
R. Paul not out 20
Extras (b2, lb9, nb3) 14
TOTAL (3 wkts, 43 overs) 137
Fall of wickets: 1-13, 2-17, 3-99.
Bowling: Williams 7-6-5-1, Burton 4-0-30-0, Fernandez 5-1-15-1, Lake 3-1-8-0, Walsh 13-2-37-1, Cornwall 11-1-31-0.
Result: Windward Islands won by seven wickets.
Position: Windwards win championship title.
Points: Windwards 12, Leewards 4.
Umpires: E Bellasse, D Martial.
