Akeem Dewar

Kingston College's leg-spinner Akeem Dewar maintained his impressive form when he grabbed 4-29 to lead Jamaica to first innings honours over the Windward Island's on day one of their TCL Group WICB U-19 Cup at Jamaica Broilers Group Oval, Spring Village, St Catherine.

Dewar, who was named Man-of-the-Match in Jamaica's last two outings against Guyana and the Leeward Islands, got good support from his spin partner, Moneague College's Patrick Harty, who claimed 4-41, as Jamaica, responding to the Windwards' first innings total of 131, reached 185-4 when stumps were drawn.

Dewar and Harty were also in dominant mode against the Leewards, claiming 17 of the 20 wickets that fell.

With a lead of 54 and Jamaica needing to win outright to keep pace with leaders Trinidad and Tobago, who are engaged in a close battle with the Leeward Islands at Chedwin Park, coach Andre Coley said he was happy with the progress his team has made so far.

Pleased

"I am pleased with how the day went," said Coley. "We lost a wicket on the second to last ball of the day's play, which was a bit disappointing. We would have preferred to have go in tomorrow with seven wicket in hand. But having said that, to get them out for under 150 was a great effort and was according to plan."

At Chedwin Park, Trinidad and Tobago, who lead the standings on 30 points, six more than Jamaica, were 52-2 in response to the Leewards' modest 174. Yannick Leonard, 35, and Nelson Bolan, 32, topscored for the Leewards against Rickson Maniram 5-43 and in-form leg-spinner Yannich Carriah 3-51.

Meanwhile, the day's other match-up between defending champions Barbados, who are on 19 points, and second-from-bottom Guyana at Jamalco, is evenly poised. Batting first, Guyana reached 169 with Jonathan Foo and the championships leading run-getter Trevon Griffin topscoring with 51 and 34, respectively, against Jason Holder 4-34. Barbados in reply closed on 83-5, 96 runs short of their target.

Opener Kraigg Brathwaite, who was called up to the West Indies team for the first Test against Bangladesh, made 22, while bowling for the Barbadians Alex Amsterdam has so far taken 4-12.

In full command

At Jamaica Broilers, Jamaica, after winning the toss and electing to bowl, were in full command from the get-go and after having the Windwards at 54-3, never eased up, especially after the introduction of Dewar and Harty.

When Jamaica batted Manchester High opener Brian Clarke delighted an appreciative crowd before he was dismissed for a well-played 70. He had shared in an opening stand of 89 with John Campbell, who stroked 33.

Captain Paul Palmer Jr, 3, and St Jago, Garth Garvey, 35, are the other batsmen back in the pavilion.