Kingstown, St. Vincent, CMC:
JAMAICA GOT THEIR West Indies Under-15 cricket title defence off to a winning start yesterday when they defeated the Windward Islands by four wickets at Arnos Vale.
The Jamaicans successfully chased a 121-run target to defeat the Windwards, and were joined as first round winners by the Leeward Islands, who defeated last year's runners-up Guyana, and Barbados, impressively getting past Trinidad and Tobago.
Electing to bat, the Windwards posted 120 all out off 49 overs against the Jamaicans.
Gary Prince (20) was their top-scorer, with support from Mica Adrian and Number 10 batsman Delroy Johnson, who each got 17.
Bowling for Jamaica, left-arm spinner Errol Thomas led the way with three for 17 off nine overs, supported by off-spinner Jamie Merchant (2-24) and leg-spinner Nkrunah Bonner (2-30).
Man of the match Bonner, batting at number four, then top-scored with 37 not out, after opener Andre Creary had scored 30 to help steer Jamaica to victory at 121 for six in 47.5 overs.
Lauron Francois (1-12), Alton Audain (1-17), Renaldo Coombs (1-19), and Delroy Johnson (1-21) were the wicket-takers for the Windwards.
Three-run victory
At Sion Hill, the Leewards, who lost all their games last year, thumped two-time champions Guyana in a three-run victory.
Sent to bat, the Leewards struggled to 81 all out in 35.5 overs but rallied for a tense win.
Pacer Denroy George had removed Leewards captain Kieron Powell leg before wicket without scoring, with only one run on the board, and Devon Thomas (17) and Kejel Tyson (12) were the only batsmen into double figures.
Clive Andries (3-17) and Jonathon Foo (2-14) engineered the steady decline of the Leewards batting.
But Guyana's response was just as fragile.
Steven Jacobs (22) and Rajendra Chandrika (14) were the highest scorers, while off-spinner Terrance Ward returned impressive figures of four for nine off 6.3 overs, and left-arm spinner Elvin Berridge captured three for 21 to spur the Leewards to victory as Guyana fell for 78.
Ward secured the man of the match award and team manager Samuel McSheene praised the resilience of the team.
"They showed some poise, they showed some determination," McSheene said.
"Even though the batting went to a failure as far as I am concerned, they decided that the runs on the board were already made, and with great resolve they stuck in there and persevered. I am looking for better things in the other matches," McSheene added.
Barbados, behind a solid allround performance from Mario Boyce, easily knocked off three-time champions Trinidad and Tobago by seven wickets at Stubbs.
Chasing 219 for victory, the Barbadians reached the target with almost nine overs to spare.
Trinidad and Tobago posted 218 for eight off their 50 overs with the little right-hander Adrian Bharath getting a top score of 42, with five boundaries.
Kevon Francois (27), Kelvin Gobin (26) and Darren Bravo (25) gave support, while man of the match Boyce bagged three for 40 with his off-spin, and Carleon Browne took two for 42 for Barbados.
Big hitting
The left-handed Boyce, a last-minute replacement in the tournament for injured captain Shamar Brooks (fractured thumb), then lashed nine fours and one six in a top-score of 56 to set up the emphatic victory.
Captain Simon Steele (45), Rashidi Boucher (44) and Roger Williams (39 not out) contributed useful scores for the Barbadians, who had placed a disappointing fifth last year.
Visham Ramroop (3-39) was T&T's top bowler.
The tournament continues tomorrow with Guyana facing T&T, Barbados against the Windwards, and Jamaica meeting the Leewards.
