GROS ISLET, St Lucia, CMC – A determined and spirited effort in the field gave Leeward Islands a dramatic come-from-behind 30-run win over Windward Islands, as they recorded their first victory of the Regional Four-Day Championship here Sunday.
Chasing 121 for victory, the Windwards crashed to 90 all out due mainly to a telling opening spell from medium pacer Tonito Willet who finished with four for 34 from 10 overs, despite carrying an injury.
Seamer Gavin Tonge provided great support with three for 33 to end with match figures of nine for 111.
The victory, inside three days at the Beausejour Cricket Ground, gave the Leewards their first points of the competition and broke a three-match losing streak.
Earlier, the Leewards, starting the day on 150 for six having conceded 57 runs on first innings, were dismissed for 177.
Both overnight batsmen fell to left-arm fast bowler Kenroy Peters – Tonge went for seven, caught behind by Lindon James and Hayden Walsh Jnr in similar fashion for 31.
Willet, who retired hurt the previous evening after being struck on the left forearm by Peters, returned and added a couple of runs before he too was caught by James for 20.
Peters finished with three for 50 while Garey Mathurin (3-22) and Nelon Pascal (3-68) also got among the spoils.
Set what seemed a manageable target, the Windwards found themselves in early trouble losing their two most accomplished batsmen Devon Smith and Andre Fletcher with just five runs on the board.
Willet bowled Smith for one and Fletcher failed to score, playing hesitantly outside the off-stump and edging the second ball he faced to wicketkeeper Devon Thomas, also off Willet.
The aggressive Keddy Lesporis threatened to change the momentum with a brisk 32 off 36 deliveries including six boundaries.
However, he hooked Tonge to Walsh on the long-leg boundary that ended a partnership of 35 with left handed opener Atticus Browne (20).
