by ELVIS HOWARD

at Cane Garden

A superb hundred from Carlo Morris was a class act that propelled Carib Carlton to an imposing 370 for five declared against Guardian General Barbados Youth and put them in the ascendancy yesterday.

Facing a deficit of 177, Guardian General Barbados Youth reached 32 without loss at stumps on Day Two of the first-round Division 1 match with Rashidi Boucher on 22 and Kyle Corbin ten.

The usually flamboyant Morris' knock of 127 was one of great responsibility as he was very selective
in his stroke play.

The Barbados reserve wicketkeeper/batsman struck 15 fours and six sixes off 159 deliveries and occupied the crease for 192 minutes.

Carlton were also helped significantly by excellent half-centuries from Kevin Ramsey
[78] and Rommel King [57] not out ) that saw them gain four maximum batting points.

They resumed from an overweek 45 for two with Morris on eight and Kirk Gibson on 11.

Morris' only blemish came when he was badly missed by Boucher at first slip off Randall Hoyte
in the day's second over as he drove loosely outside the off stump.

With that chance behind him, he settled down and played arguably one of his best innings at this level. He and Gibson took the attack to the bowlers and found the ropes with great regularity.

When the fast bowlers were short, they were struck with disdain and driven through the line when they were too far up.

The pair pushed their third-wicket stand
to 86 before Gibson with 49 was caught at the wicket off Jason Holder's first delivery.

Gibson struck seven fours and two sixes from 40 balls in 89 minutes. He looked threatening with a straight hit for six and a square driven four off Jeremy Marshall.

When he left, Kevin Ramsay filled the breached admirably
to help the forth-right Morris add 149 for the fourth-wicket.

Morris also played a number of lofted drives over the infield. They saw Carlton to tea at 208 for three with Morris 98 and Ramsay 29.

Morris celebrated his century with three more massive sixes but was eventually caught by Corbin from a leading edge running around from cover point.

Ramsay's career-best knock included nine fours off 130 balls in 169 minutes, as he and Rommel King solidified Carlton's position with
a fifth-wicket partnership of 64 before Ramsay was lbw to Holder in his second spell.

King was at the crease for 92 minutes during which time he hit nine fours off 76 balls before the declaration came with 29 minutes left in the day.