CAYON – Leeward Islands captain Sylvester Joseph lashed an even, unbeaten century but could not prevent Jamaica from snatching a six-wicket win at St Mary's Park yesterday.

The 32-year old's knock was the foundation of the Leewards' 232 for six in their allotted 50 overs, but Jamaica got half-centuries from Brenton Parchment, Chris Gayle, Marlon Samuels and Tamar Lambert to reach 233 for five off 49 overs.

Sent in to bat after Jamaica won the toss, Leewards slipped to 82 for five before Joseph and Omari Banks, who continued his good form with 76, came to their rescue.

They shared a 148-run sixth wicket stand that defied the Jamaica bowlers and steered the hosts out of danger.

Joseph's century came from 122 balls and comprised six fours and one six while Banks faced 89 balls and hit three fours and two sixes.

The right-handed Joseph reached his milestone off the last ball of the innings when he collected two runs down
to long-off, after Justin Athanaze had taken a single off the fifth ball of the over.

Leewards had earlier started shakily, losing Shane Jeffers in the first over without scoring, offering no stroke to Jerome Taylor.

He was quickly followed by opening partner Austin Richards who miscued a pull to cover off Taylor to depart for 13. Leewards slipped further into trouble at 49 for three when Samuels' direct hit from short midwicket sent Steve Liburd on his way for 17.

In St George's: An attractive unbeaten 126-run fifth wicket partnership between Liam Sebastian and skipper Rawle Lewis spearheaded the Windward Islands to an emphatic six-wicket victory over defending KFC Cup champions Guyana yesterday.

Watched by a large crowd at the Tanteen Recreational Ground, Windwards cantered to 256 for four off 49 overs after a superb century from Royston Crandon had spurred Guyana to 254 for seven off their allotted 50 overs.

Sebastian, who arrived at the crease with the score on 96 for three in the 19th over, smashed an unbeaten 72 from 93 balls with six fours while Lewis' unbeaten 54 came from47 balls and included two fours and three towering sixes.

The two joined forces with the score on 140 for four in the 32nd over when Darren Sammy was brilliantly caught on
the long-on boundary by Azeemul Haniff for 49, and proceeded to dominate the Guyana attack.

Earlier, Guyana's innings was based on Crandon's 101 after the visitors had been asked to bat on a flat track and a fast outfield.

After starting slowly and then surviving a chance to skipper Rawle Lewis at cover off Denis George when 38, Crandon's innings blossomed nicely.

(CMC)