Four play

A FASCINATING finale is in the making for the TCL Group West Indies Under-19 One-Day Trophy.Yesterday, Barbados completed a second successive victory to remain one of four teams in contention to win the title today.Their 55-run triumph over the Leeward Islands that was set up by a commendable all-round performance by Roston Chase lifted the Bajans to second position on nine points, one behind leaders Trinidad and Tobago ahead of the final-round of matches.In a match reduced to 20-overs-a-side after wet conditions delayed the start at the Dennery Playing Field, Barbados made 159 off 19.1 overs and restricted their opponents to 104 in 15.4 overs.The win earned them four vital points and paved the way for an intriguing four-way battle for the trophy that also involves Trinidad and Tobago, three-day champions Windward Islands and Jamaica.Trinidad and Tobago and the Windwards Islands were set back by the weather that forced an abandonment of their match at Micoud. It gave both teams one point.Jamaica kept alive their hopes with a seven-wicket win over Guyana at the Gros Islet Playng Field that carried them to six points, one less than third-placed Windwards.In a 45-overs-a-side-match that started at 11 a.m., Jamaica dismissed winless Guyana for 105 in 30.2 overs and cruised home on 108 for three in 27.3 overs.In today’s final round of matches, Barbados face Jamaica at Dennery, Trinidad and Tobago oppose Guyana at Beausejour Stadium and Windwards meet Leewards at Gros Islet.Barbados were fortunate to get in a match yesterday after rain threatened to deny them play.The game got going at 2:45 p.m. and was reduced to the minimum number of overs that constitutes a match.After Barbados were sent in, captain Kraigg Brathwaite and Chase batted enterprisingly in setting up a challenging total.Brathwaite hit 50 off 38 balls that included four fours and three sixes, while Chase made 49 off 29 balls that also contained four fours and three sixes.Quick runsIn pursuit of quick runs, Barbados suffered from five run outs, the majority in the latter half of the innings.Leewards’ response was undermined mainly by off-spinner Chase, who took three for 19. There was support from left-arm spinner Dario Cummins (2-6) and fast medium Justin Greaves (2-30). (HG)