PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC):
DEFENDING CHAMPIONS Jamaica secured a 32-run victory over Barbados at Inshan Ali Park in the first round of the West Indies Under-15 championship yesterday.
Jamaica gave early evidence that they would be no pushovers when they rebounded from a weak batting performance to hurt Barbados.
Choosing to bat, Jamaica were dismissed for 196 in 49.5 overs, with Shawn Lodge leading the way with 37 off 31 balls, and Brandon King making 33 off 62 balls.
Left-arm pacer Jerome Jones was the pick of the young Barbadian bowlers, with three for 26 from 6.5 overs, while spinners Dario Boyce and Chad Williams each collected two wickets apiece.
Barbados never got their act together and were dismissed for 132 in 42.1 overs, with Jamal Stuart top-scoring with 31 and Chad Williams making 22.
Man of the match
All-rounder Kenneil Anniford picked up four for 12 to take the Man-of-the-Match award.
At the National Cricket Centre, Vikash Mohan bowled Trinidad and Tobago to a 162-run victory over Leeward Islands.
Mohan captured the Man-of-the-Match award when he collected seven wickets for 15 runs from his allotted 10 overs and fellow spinner Jovan Ali bagged three for 11, as Leeward Islands, chasing 257 for victory from their allocation of 50 overs, were dismissed for a modest 94 in 37.1 overs.
Letanio Ferdinand completed a useful all-round performance when he hit the top score of 27 for the Leewards, and A.J. Abrams supported with 23, but no other batsman passed 20.
Earlier, Brian Christmas stroked 10 fours in an enterprising 73 off 61 balls to guide T&T to 256 all out in 47.4 overs.
Christmas shared in a sixth-wicket partnership of 107 with wicketkeeper/batsman Brandon Ramdial, whose 39 off 53 balls included four boundaries.
Successful bowler
Bervis Burke was the most successful bowler for the Leewards with four for 43 from eight overs, while Ferdinand took two for 22 and Tristan Hanley collected two for 32.
At Gilbert Park, Guyana recorded a comfortable 45-run victory over Windward Islands.
Guyana, choosing to bat, were dismissed for 193 in 49.5 overs, with Kamesh Yadran their leading scorer with 52 off 85 balls that included five fours, and Romario De Jonge propping them up with 34.
Windwards' captain Larry Edwards took three for 21, while Kelton Cadoo had two for 27.
The Windwards lost wickets at regular intervals and were eventually dismissed for 148 in 42.1 overs.
Left-arm spinner Ricardo Adams earned the Man-of-the-Match award with his four for 23 and Shalendra Shameer claimed two for 16.
Round-Two matches will take place today when T&T host Windwards at Munroe Road Recreation Ground, Leewards face Barbados at Wilson Road Recreation Ground and Jamaica meet Guyana at Kennedy Park.