lCAVE HILL

Two wickets, including that of West Indies opener Kieran Powell, in the final 20 minutes loosened Leeward Islands' grip against Combined Campuses and Colleges in the Regional Four-Day Championship here Wednesday.

Leewards reached 62 for three, replying to CCC's first innings total of 180, with their captain Sylvester Joseph not out on two and Devon Thomas not out on six at the close on the opening day of their fourth round match at the Three Ws Oval.

Left-hander Powell made 28 and Orlando Peters got 14, sharing 53 for the second wicket, before they fell in the space of 18 deliveries to undermine the visitors' push to gain first innings points for the first time this season.

Steady bowling, led by Larry Joseph and Gavin Tonge, gave Leewards early control, as CCC, sent in to bat on a hard, true pitch, posted a respectable total after they slumped to 95 for six at lunch.

Left-hander Raymon Reifer held the innings together with a circumspect 45 and Shacaya Thomas made 35, but no other batsman reached 20.

Off-spinner Joseph was the pick of the Leewards' bowling, taking three for 32 from 16.3 overs, Tonge grabbed three for 55 from 16 overs and leg-spinner Anthony Martin was the most economical with two for 36 from 26 overs.

The two teams entered this round of matches in the bottom positions in the table —Leewards were sixth on three points and CCC were last with no points.

In the other Regional Four Day encounter yesterday, Jamaica were dismissed for 207 by Windward Islands at the Grenada National Stadium. Off-spinner Nikita Miller helped Jamaica out of a hole with a half-century, his 55 a team best innings, while Dave Bernard Junior also chipped in with 52 to spare his teams blushes.

But the Windwards were in a strong position at close of play on 41 without loss, thanks much to West Indies opener Johnson Charles' unbeaten score of 23.

—CMC

At 3W's Oval:

CCC 180 all out (Raymon Reifer 45, Shacaya Thomas 35; Larry Joseph 3-32, Gavin Tonge 3-55, Anthony Martin 2-36) vs Leeward Islands 62 for three (Kieran Powell 28)

At National Stadium:

Jamaica 207 (Nikita Miller 55, Dave Bernard 52) vs Windward Islands 41 without loss (Johnson Charles 23 not out)