Spin does trick

The leg spin of Ryan Layne and the part-time off breaks of Rondell Yearwood proved to be a potent combination as the pair bowled ESAF Pickwick to first innings lead over ICBL Empire yesterday.
Replying to Pickwick’s 273 all out made on the opening day, Empire fell for 232 off 58.2 overs. In 12 overs before the close Pickwick reached 21 for one.
Layne led the way for the visitors with five for 73, while Yearwood took three for 33.
Layne withstood an assault from Alcindo Holder who hit a typically aggressive 63 off 62 balls. Several balls left the ground never to return as Holder smashed 11 fours and two threes. Four fours and both threes came off Layne, while off spinner Daniel Rogers conceded three fours to Holder.
Layne’s persistence was rewarded when he removed the rampaging Holder, caught at long on by Clint St Hill who took three catches in the innings. 
Yearwood had earlier struck a crucial blow when he dismissed Ryan Hinds (39) in his first over to break a fifth-wicket stand of 82.
The repair job between Hinds and Holder came in response to a collapse in which Empire lost four wickets for 15 runs after Jamal Smith (32) and Jason Haynes (37) had put on 67 for the first wicket.
Layne and off spinner Rommell Small equally split four wickets to orchestrate the slide.
Hinds and Holder took Empire to tea at 117 for four. After the interval it was the Holder show, before he was upstaged by Layne.