Spartan’s bid thwarted

LEADERS Super Centre Spartan, pressing for yet another victory, were thwarted by Guardian General Barbados Youth who held on grimly to snatch a draw in their game after an early collapse on the final day of their fourth round LIME Division 1 match.The Parkites, already with first innings lead in the bag, batted on to amass a total of 254 for six declared, giving them a lead of 124 runs. DisasterThe Youth side, without many of their regular members who are overseas on national duty, began their second innings disastrously, losing their first four wickets for just five runs before a fifth-wicket partnership of 51 between Kemar Brathwaite and Manoll Austin stalled Spartan’s effort to finish at 66 for eight.  Andre Marshall captured the first three wicket, but it was Andre Gill, bowling off-spin after breaking the partnership, which tore into the latter half of the Youth side to finish with four for 22 to put panic in the youngsters.Earlier, after a delayed start by an hour because of a wet outfield, Spartan opted for quick runs with Wayne Blackman (64) and young  Mardon Bend (55) both undefeated overweek carrying the fight to the bowlers. Blackman, however, was denied the three-figure score, falling short by five runs before being dismissed by Jamari Mascoll. Bend went on to score a workmanlike 85 before he too was dismissed by Mascoll who captured all four wickets to fall for 47 runs.