Sport

Jamaica U-19s beat Leewards

KINGSTOWN, ST VINCENT, CMC

JAMAICA ADVANCED TO the semi-finals after struggling to beat the Leeward Islands by two wickets in their TCL Group West Indies Under-19 limited overs first-round match at Arnos Vale yesterday.

Leg-spinner Alton Beck-ford snared a five-wicket haul to reduce the Leewards to 100 all out in 37 overs, but the Jamaican batting tripped continually before squeezing to victory at 101 for eight off 34.5 overs.

The Jamaicans were made to fight every inch of the way, but in the end they managed a victory that secured for them a spot in today's semi-final against new three-day champions Trinidad and Tobago at Arnos Vale.

After the Leewards had decided to bat on a pitch that assisted the bowlers, they were undermined by Beck-ford, who tore through their fragile middle order.

Beckford logged superb figures of five for 15 off 10 overs.

Clever bowling

No batsman really came to grips with his clever bowling and only allrounder Orlando Peters, who top scored with 21, and Montcin Hodge (19 not out) showed any real resistance.

With what seemed to be a very modest total, the Leewards gave themselves a chance to win by shaking the Jamaica top-order, reducing them to 48 for five at one stage.

But Ziggy Levy, with 28 not out, played courageously, and steered his unsteady team to victory, with help from Cordell Simpson (20).

Opening bowler, Chad Hampson, with three for 35 off 9.5 overs, was the most successful bowler for the Leewards, and Peters picked up two for 12 off eight overs.

While the Jamaicans battle buoyant Trinidad and Tobago at the main Arnos Vale Ground Thursday, defending limited overs champions Barbados will meet the Windward Islands at Sion Hill in the other semi-final, and the Leewards face Guyana in the fifth place play-off at Arnos Vale II.