BASSETERRE, St Kitts (CMC):

Bowlers came to the fore and propelled Runako Morton's side to a huge win over the Omari Banks XI as the first Leeward Islands practice match for the 2009 first-class cricket season ended Thursday.

Leg-spinner Anthony Martin and medium pacers Brent Defreitas and Tonito Willett combined for nine wickets as the Banks XI, trailing Runako Morton's side on first innings by 115 runs, crashed to 109 all out in their second innings to lose by an innings and six runs at the Molineux Ground.

From an overnight 318 for six, Morton's side only added 29 runs to be bowled out for 347.

The 19-year-old Antiguan, Devon Thomas, did not add to his overnight score of 76 but Morton's side, boosted by their captain's knock of 100 on Wednesday, still managed to secure a handsome first innings advantage.

Top scorer

Bowling for Banks XI, pacer Gavin Tonge picked up three for 39, while off-spinners Steve Liburd (2-33) and Banks (2-63) shared four wickets.

Banks was then the top scorer in his side's catastrophic second innings effort, stroking 34. Left-hander opener Kieran Powell made 26 as Martin led the bowling attack with three for 17.

Willett three for 20 and Defreitas (3-28) helped to spur Morton's side to victory.

In search of batting practice, Morton's still went out for a second knock - although they had already won the game - and finished on 85 for two.

Orlando Peters scored 41 and Montcin Hodge 34, while Liburd (1-1) and Wilden Cornwall (1-18) were the successful bowlers.

Coach John Archibald was encouraged by his squad's bowling but hopes to see better batting when they face the Windward Islands in a three-day practice match this weekend.

"Our bowling has been doing a pretty good job but obviously we need to do some work on the batting," Archibald told CMC Sport yesterday.

The Leewards are slated to face the Windward Islands in another three-day practice match starting today at the Edgar Gilbert Sporting Complex, before opening their campaign against reigning champions Jamaica in the 2009 WICB four-day regional tournament on Friday, January 9.