UWI set to seize title

Sagicor?UWI are poised to capture their fifth consecutive LIME?Elite title as they are in a strong position to defeat demotion threatened Barbados Defence Force Sports Programme (BDFSP) at the end of the second day of the rescheduled first series match.
The defending champions, after compiling 316 for eight declared in their first innings, dismissed BDFSP for 153 in their first innings, yesterday.
Following on 163 behind, the hosts reached 87 for three at the close of the second day, needing another 76 runs with seven wickets in hand to make UWI bat again.
BDFSP and Sagicor UWI have a similar goal but different missions. BDFSP are second from the bottom on 53 points and now need a win to avoid demotion, while UWI, eight points behind leaders Maple, need a victory to repeat as champions should Maple fail to win outright against Spartan.
UWI’s charge towards another title has been led by Dominican left-armer Kavem Hodge, who destroyed the BDFSP?top order to snare five for 34 from 16.4 overs. Only little left-handed captain Mario Rampersaud put up any resistance with a 153-ball 65.
Rampersaud shared an encouraging 32-run opening stand with Dario Boyce-Malcolm (20) before Hodge broke the partnership.
From 32 without loss, the BDFSP plunged to 54 for four with Akeem Clinkett and Antonio Greenidge going cheaply to Hodge and Renaldo Brathwaite becoming leg-spinner Akeem Dewar’s first victim. Marlon Welcome-Goodman and Kareem Currency became off-spinner’s Ryan Austin victims as UWI introduced their third spinner.  
Rampersaud demonstrated a strong mind and a solid technique as the UWI spin trio of Hodge, Austin (two for 32) and Dewar (three for 60) dominated. 
Batting a second time, BDFSP had another good opening stand of 30 between Rampersaud (6) and Boyce-Welcome (23), which was followed by an attacking third-wicket stand of 55 between Antonio Greenidge (38) and Renaldo Brathwaite (16 not out).