by LOUIS HOLDER

A FINE CENTURY from Leeward Islands opening batsman Chesney Hughes highlighted the first day's play in their match against Guyana in the 2008 TCL Group West Indies Under-19 Competition at Kensington Oval yesterday.

Hughes' century was the backbone of his team's total of 172, and the Leewards bowlers defended the modest total well, restricting the defending champions to 75-5.

The day was dominated by the left-handed Hughes, now in his third and final year at this level. He registered his maiden century at the Under-19 level.

Restricted

Guyana won the toss and asked the Leewards to take first knock, and it seemed a good decision, as they restricted their opponents to 83-5 by the luncheon interval.

Hughes, who played several attractive strokes around the ground, was 40 not out at the break. Soon after the luncheon interval, he brought up his 50 off 107 deliveries in 138 minutes, including eight fours.

He found an able partner in wicket-keeper Jamal Hamilton, who had joined him just before the break, and the two put on 46 for the sixth wicket before Hamilton was caught by Keon Joseph off the off-spinner Herman Latcha for 28.

After his dismissal, the Leewards lost three wickets in quick succession, but Hughes stepped up the tempo and duly reached a well deserved century with a boundary.

When he was last man out for 101, run out attempting a second run, he had slammed 14 boundaries and one six in an innings that lasted 217 minutes.

The Leewards were eventually dismissed for 172, with Latcha taking three for 53 to be the most successful bowler for Guyana.

When Guyana started their reply just after tea, they immediately suffered early setbacks, slipping to 39-3, and eventually finishing on 75-5, still 97 runs behind.

Left-arm spinner Turnell Turner has captured three for 38.

SCOREBOARD:

Guyana vs Leeward Islands

(AT KENSINGTON OVAL)

Toss: Guyana – Leeward Islands sent in

Weather: sunny; Pitch: firm; Outfield: fast

Leeward Islands 1st Innings

C. Hughes run out 101

*K. Powell c LaFleur b Joseph 6

S. Peters c wk Bramble b Scott 7

K. Phillip c Foo b Latcha 19

K. Tyson c & b LaFleur 1

C. Payne run out 1

+J. Hamilton c Joseph b Latcha 28

K. Walters c Sookdeo b Latcha 0

A. Phillip c & b Bishun 0

T. Turner b LaFleur 0

T. Osbourne not out 9

Extras (b1, nb 8) 9

Total (all out – 62.2 overs) 172

Wkts fell at: 15, 38, 64, 71, 80, 126, 128, 129, 149, 172

Bowling: Scott 6-0-22-1 (1nb), Joseph 7-0-34-1 (5nb), Latcha 21-4-53-3, LaFleur 14.2-4-28-2, Bishun 14-2-34-1

Guyana 1st Innings

R. Fredericks c Tyson b Turner 7

T. Griffith c wk Hamilton b A. Phillip 0

J. Sookdeo not out 37

S. Hetimyer c Powell b Turner 0

J. Foo c Payne b Turner 13

*E. LaFleur b Osbourne 4

+A. Bramble not out 0

Extras (b2, nb 10, w 2) 14

Total (for 5 wkts – 34 overs) 75

Wkts fell at: 4, 39, 39, 63, 73

To bat: T Bishun, L Scott, H Latcha, K Joseph

Bowling: Walters 6-1-10-0, Phillip 6-2-15-1, Payne 4-2-11-0, Turner 9-1-28-3, Osbourne 9-4-9-1

Umpires: Andrew Corbin & Richard King