Windwards win easily

GROS ISLET, St Lucia (CMC):

A five-wicket haul by left arm orthodox spinner Garey Mathurin, and an unbroken third-wicket partnership of 48 between St Lucians Keddy Lesporis and Johnson Charles steered Windward Islands to a comfortable eight-wicket win over Leeward Islands here yesterday in their West Indies Cricket Board Regional Four-day Tournament.

Set a meagre 99 to win the final-round encounter of the regional first-class championship, the Windwards coasted to their target with few hiccups at the Beausejour Cricket Ground, completing victory at 99 for two 20 minutes before tea on the final day.

Opener Charles, in his comeback match for the Windwards, was in a punishing mood, spanking three fours and three sixes on his way to an undefeated 52. He brought up his half-century with a huge six off off-spinner Justin Athanaze that sailed over mid-wicket.

Lesporis, meanwhile, finished undefeated on 28, bringing his tally of runs for the season to 376.

Resuming the day on 284 for seven, the Leewards were dismissed for 344, with Gavin Tonge falling for an impressive 73, and Jacques Taylor stroking 63. Left-arm spinner Garey Mathurin picked up the last three wickets to end with five for 86 and a season-high 32 scalps.