Rising Stars Men’s U19: Windwards clip Jamaica by four runs in thrilling match

BASSETERRE, St Kitts (CMC):

Defending champions Barbados remain unbeaten in the Rising Stars Men's Under-19 50-over Championships, after recording a dominant 144-run win over Trinidad and Tobago yesterday in the second round of matches.

USA-1 also continued their impressive start to the tournament, notching their second successive win with a comprehensive seven-wicket victory over Guyana, while the Windward Islands also remained unbeaten by registering a tense four-run win over Jamaica.

Meanwhile, the Leeward Islands secured their first win against USA-2.

At Elquemedo Willett Park: The Windward Islands escaped with a thrilling four-run win over Jamaica to make it two wins out of two.

The winners were propped up by Kirt Murray's knock of 52 off 55 balls, before being bowled out for 196 in 44 overs.

Earsinho Fontaine and Theo Edward also chipped in with valuable contributions of 26 and 25, respectively but the Windward Islands lost wickets at regular intervals and failed to build any momentum.

For Jamaica, Roshawn McKenzie (2-13), Tamarie Redwood (2-33) and Demarco Scott (2-44), each took two wickets.

Jamaica seemed on course for victory with the score 154 for five and David Dewar, who scored 72 from 77 balls, at the crease.

But once Dewar was dismissed by pacer Edmund Morancie, it went downhill for Jamaica and they were dismissed for 192 with one over remaining.

Darvin Forde (2-26), Kirsten Murray (2-31) and Morancie (2-34) were the main destroyers for the Windward Islands.

At Conaree Sports Club: Captain Joshua Dorne and Zachary Carter both scored their second consecutive half centuries as Barbados piled up 295 for eight from their 50 overs.

Dorne led the way with 79 off 100 balls, Carter made 78 from 62 balls and Xaundre Baptiste faced 54 balls during his knock of 57, to propel Barbados to the biggest total of the tournament so far.

Barbados was given a good start during an opening partnership of 72 in just under 10 overs between Carter and Micah Greenidge, who made 22.

They then suffered a middle order collapse that saw them slide from 129 for one to 186 for six, thanks mainly to the efforts of leg spinner Aneal Rooplal, who grabbed three wickets.

However, Baptiste and Dorne shared a 90-run partnership that revived the innings and helped them post a formidable total.

Rooplal finished with 3-56, while Abdul-Raheem Toppin took 2-68.

Despite the early loss of opener Luke Ali for two, T&T recovered and were 40 for one at stage until fast bowler R'Jai Gittens orchestrated a collapse that saw them crumble to 77 for six.

Despite a valiant effort by the lower order, T&T were eventually dismissed for 151 in 34 overs.

Gittens ended with 4-63, while Jakeem Pollard (2-13) and Zachary Carter (2-17) provided good support.