GROS ISLET – The Windward Islands showered themselves in glory after pulling off an emphatic seven-wicket win over the Leeward Islands to ensure their capture of the 2010 TCL Group West Indies Under-19 Challenge title yesterday.Chasing 135 for victory on the final day of the final round of matches, the Windwards coasted to victory just before tea at the Beausejour Cricket Ground to complete a superb campaign.Kavem Hodge stroked an unbeaten 69 as the Windwards romped to 137 for three in 43 overs. The leading Windwards batsman in the tournament with a century earlier in the tournament, Hodge hit nine fours and faced 103 balls in a responsible knock.Rudolph Paul was undefeated on 20 when victory was posted, while Emmanuel Peter, who featured in a crucial third wicket stand of 82 with Hodge, contributed 22.Earlier, the Leewards last-wicket pair put up little resistance as their side were bowled out for 118 after resuming the day on 103 for nine.The Windwards, who won the title for the first time in 2000 in Guyana, ended on 39 points.Team manager Shawn Edward attributed their success to a team effort.“We played good cricket throughout in all departments – batting, bowling and fielding and I think we are deserving champions in light of what we saw from our competition,” Edward said.“It was a total team effort but I have to single out for special mention Audy Alexander, who led the team admirably throughout in his fourth year as a player,” he said.“Kavem Hodge batted brilliantly throughout and recorded his first century at this level against Barbados. It was a match-saving knock. Also Atticus Browne, who made a century as well as Dennis Smith. He, too contributed with the bat. Levaughn Lewis, as well, who had a five-wicket haul and Bronte Bess, who provided the early breakthroughs with the new ball that were so necessary,” noted Edward.In another match, Barbados secured a 12-run first innings lead over defending champions Jamaica with Justin Greaves (51) and Mario Rampersaud (44) extending their face-saving seventh-wicket partnership to 83 runs.Rampersaud and Jomel Warrican (24) also featured in an eighth-wicket stand of 43 to carry Barbados to 271 in reply to 259 made by Jamaica, who reached 132 for four in their second innings. Ramon Senior scored his second half-century of the match after an early double strike from left-arm pacer Ravendra Persaud, who finished with seven wickets in the game. (CMC/EZS)
