Ian Allen/Staff Photographer
Parchment ... has so far hit a top score with 51.

CAYON, St. Kitts (CMC):

Captain Sylvester Joseph and Tonito Willett missed out on centuries as Leeward Islands and Jamaica remained locked in a tense battle, after honours were evenly shared on the second day of their first- round Carib Beer Series match at St. Mary's Park yesterday.

Joseph failed to add to his overnight 97 while Willett was dismissed for 89 as the Leewards were bowled out for 396, after resuming at 291 for four.

At the close, Jamaica had reached 165 for three with Brenton Parchment stroking 51.

Joseph, who batted soundly on Thursday to steady the Leewards innings, survived just 12 balls yesterday before being caught at square leg by Tamar Lambert, attempting to pull a short ball from fast bowler Jerome Taylor with the score on 297.

The 23-year-old Willett, unbeaten on 43 overnight, again batted enterprisingly as he held the innings together after Joseph's dismissal.

He failed to find a steady partner, however, as wickets tumbled around him.

Taylor bags three

Taylor, who finished with three for 69, produced a sharp, lifting delivery to Omari Banks (12) which the batsman fended to Parchment at short square leg, to leave the Leewards 314 for six.

Jermaine Lawson, Jamaica's best bowler with four for 72, took care of Jason Williams for 10 with a slower delivery and Willett's knock finally ended when he edged a faster ball from off-spinner Samuels to wicketkeeper Carlton Baugh. He batted just under four hours, faced 173 balls, striking 11 fours.

Jamaica quickly dispatched the two remaining Leewards wickets and hastily started their pursuit of first-innings points, with Chris Gayle (39) and Parchment adding 70 for the first wicket.

The left-handed Gayle was bowled by the first delivery after tea when he played over a pitched- up delivery from Adam Sanford.

Samuels was brilliantly taken one handed by Banks at second slip off Carl Simon for 34 with the score on 127 and with no addition to the score, Parchment was taken at silly mid-off off Banks.

Captain Wavell Hinds was unbeaten on 30 at the close.