Leewards defeat Windwards - Banks 1st as Captain

ST. GEORGE'S, Grenada (CMC) - A career-best bowling performance from medium-paced bowler Tonito Willett helped Leeward Islands complete a 34-run victory over Windward Islands on Monday in the Carib Beer Series.

Willett captured five wickets for 31 runs from 15 overs, as the Windwards, chasing 289 runs for victory, were dismissed for 254 in their second innings about 15 minutes after lunch.

Willett, the son of former West Indies spin bowler Elquemedo Willett, formalised the result, when he had tailender Nelon Pascal adjudged lbw for a duck playing across the line which helped him earn the Man-of-the-Match award.

Willett overshadowed a defiant half-century from Windwards off-spin all-rounder Liam Sebastien.

Sebastien, son of former Windwards opener and current manager Lockhart Sebastien, led a spirited fight-back with an undefeated 57 which was the top score in the home team's innings.

He featured in an eighth-wicket stand with Windwards captain Deighton Butler that yielded 43 and brought the home side within sight of the target.

When Willett bowled Butler for 17, all hope faded in the Windwards' camp, as the Leewards rebounded from a five-wicket defeat in the opening round to Jamaica.

Willet received essential support from Anthony Martins, who finished with three for 78 from 33 overs, and Leewards captain Omari Banks snared two for 52 from 19 overs.

It was the second loss for the Windwards after they suffered a nine-wicket defeat at the hands of Barbados in their opening encounter.

Leewards are now tied for third with last year's Carib Beer Challenge Final winner Trinidad & Tobago on 12 points, and the Windwards join Guyana and the Combined Campuses & Colleges at the bottom of the table without a point.

In the third round of matches starting on Friday, the Leewards face T&T at Carib Lumber Park in Phillipsburg, St. Maarten, but the Windwards have drawn a bye.