CRAB HILL, Barbados (CMC):

After promising much, Barbados and Leeward Islands played to a draw in their rain-affected, top-of-the-table, second round match in the Carib Beer Series yesterday.

Barbados won their opening match against Trinidad & Tobago at this venue and now have 18 points, while Leewards collected first innings points in their drawn opening match against Jamaica in St. Kitts and now have nine points.

Set 275 for victory in a minimum of 48 overs, the Leewards started briskly and had reached 98 for one in their second innings, when the two sides decided it was pointless to continue about half-hour before the scheduled close.

"We set up the game nicely on the second day, but it was unfortunate we did not have enough time to bowl the Leewards out," Barbados captain Ryan Hinds told reporters after the match. "I must commend the guys for the effort they gave in this match. They gave 100 per cent."

Barbados had given themselves and Leewards a chance when they declared their second innings on 247 for five about 45 minutes before the tea break on the fourth and final day at the North Stars Cultural & Social Club.

Opener Dale Richards struck eight fours in the top score of 81 from 143 balls in close to three hours, Wayne Blackman scored 64, and Hinds was unbeaten on 51.

Adam Sanford and Kerry Jeremy collected two wickets apiece to be the most successful bowlers for the Leewards.

When the visitors batted a second time, openers Shane Jeffers and Steve Liburd gave them a platform of 69.

Liburd was eventually adjudged lbw for 29 to off-spin bowler Ryan Austin, who collected the Man-of-the-Match award, leaving Jeffers, whose 59 not out was the top score, and Steve Liburd to bat out the remaining time. Jeffers struck five fours and one six from 96 balls in a little over two hours of batting.

BARBADOS 1st Innings 263

(R. Hinds 82; A. Sanford 3-72)

LEEWARD ISLANDS 1st Innings 236

(S. Liburd 55; R. Austin 6-86)

BARBADOS 2nd Innings

(overnight nine without loss)

D. Richards c S. Liburd b Athanaze