TWO?KEY?partnerships worked effectively to help Counterpoint Wanderers enjoy a satisfying return to the Elite Division as they dominated the opening of the season against Guardian General Barbados Youth yesterday.
Medium-fast bowler Craig Emmanuel and leg-spinner Nikolai Charles combined to take seven wickets as Barbados Youth limped to 137 all out off 47.5 overs.
When Wanderers replied, an opening stand of 80 between left-hander Shayne Moseley and right-handed wicketkeeper/batsman Renaldo Arthur ensured a strong reply of 90 for two from 25 overs.
Moseley played attractively for 46, missing out on a half century when his miscued pull off Matthew Jones (two for 28) was caught by Nicholas Kirton at slip.
Left-arm spinner Jones also accounted for Jonathan Drakes shortly before the close. Arthur played the supporting role and remained unbeaten on 33.
Earlier, Barbados Youth wasted a sound start, collapsing dramatically to a combined diet of spin and pace immediately before and just after tea, which was taken at 108 for seven from 36.4 overs.
The youngsters reached 50 with only one wicket down after opting to bat, but Zachary McKaskie (14) cut Emmanuel straight to Moseley at point to leave the score at 50 for two.
Three wickets also fell for 13 runs shortly before tea and the schoolboys never recovered.
Emmanuel, the major destroyer, finished with four for 17, while Charles took three for 54.
