DESPITE half-centuries from three batsmen, Sagicor UWI failed to capitalise on favourable batting conditions and fell for 217, managing just two batting points in the process.
Nekoli Parris was authoritative in stroking 58 out of a tea-time total of 109-4, before experienced campaigner Craig Emmanuel and rookie Ezra Greene joined in an entertaining 81-run fifth-wicket stand to rebuild the innings in the evening session.
But once Emmanuel and Greene were dismissed for contrasting knocks of 57 and 51, respectively, the bottom fell out of the visitors’ lower order as the last four wickets fell for a mere five runs.
UWI captain Romel Currency took the obvious decision to bat first on winning the toss on a typically-placid Beckles Road pitch, but was one of two early victims of swing bowler Francois Hurley.
Hurley induced an edge from Currency’s opening partner Miles Bascombe for wicketkeeper Matthew King to bring off a low catch, before the skipper offered a catch to Tennyson Roach at extra cover.
The “students” further compounded their own situation when Raymon Reifer was run out after a mix-up with Parris to leave with the total on 36-3.
But Emmanuel forged consecutive half-century stands with Parris and Greene.
Parris registered his fifty from 66 balls with 11 threes but his dismissal before tea let in Dominican-born Greene who played cautiously leading up to the break.
Greene opened up when play resumed and overtook Emmanuel, who had restarted on 30 not out, 23 ahead of the stocky left-hander.
Only one four had been struck in the first session but Greene added a further five “maximums” on his way to 50 from 82 balls along with six threes. Emmanuel reached the landmark in 151 minutes, stroking ten boundaries.
YMPC suffered the loss of Davian Wiggins’ wicket before rapidly fading light brought play to a premature halt with ten overs remaining.
