Kingston College's in-form all-rounder Akeem Dewar (left) and Jermaine Blackwood, Holmwood Technical off-spinner, congratulate each other in TCL Group Under-19 action against the Windward Islands at Jamaica Broilers Group Oval yesterday. Dewar claimed match figures of 11-72 and Blackwood slammed a 118-ball 105 not-out to guide Jamaica to an innings and 97-run win. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

Kingston College leg-spin all-rounder Akeem Dewar copped his third straight man-of-the-match award yesterday to guide Jamaica to a comprehensive innings and 97-run win over the Windward Islands inside two days at Jamaica Broilers Group Oval, St Catherine.

The victory puts Jamaica in a real title-challenging position heading into this weekend's final set of matches in the three-day TCL Group WICB Cup.

Dewar, whose previous awards allowed Jamaica to register huge victories against Guyana at Sabina Park and the Leeward Islands at Melbourne Oval, respectively, made 37 not out, and claimed 7-43, as the Windwards, 235 runs behind on first innings, were blown away for a paltry 138.

Good support

Moneague College's left-arm spinner, Patrick Harty provided good support for Dewar with 2-51.

Jamaica had earlier piled up 366-5 declared with another all-rounder, Holmwood Technical's off-spinner Jermaine Blackwood, slamming an aggressive unbeaten 105.

The Windward's were dismissed for a meagre 131 in their first innings.

Blackwood, who is diminutive in stature, whipped 12 fours and a six in his belligerent innings.

Lead bowler

But it was Dewar who the man-of-the-match convenors were most impressed with, as in addition to his exploits yesterday, he was Jamaica's lead bowler in the Leeward's first innings on Monday's first day with 4-29.

Dewar has now taken 22 wickets in three matches at a meagre average of 7.30 and has amassed 255 runs after unbeaten scores of 70, 118 and 37 at an average of 255.

The victory moved Jamaica to 36 points, the same as leaders Trinidad and Tobago, who were in a commanding position against the Leewards at Chedwin Park

"Our spinners did it again for us. We had set ourselves a target of getting a lead of 180 to 200 and we exceeded that with Blackwood and Dewar leading the way. We then bowled with aggression," said Jamaica's coach, Andre Coley.

Jamaica will now turn their attention to the fifth and final round match against defending champions Barbados at Kensington where another outright win could see them claiming the title.

But, if this is to happen they will first hope that the Leewards can hold Trinidad and Tobago to a draw today.

The Leewards, batting a second time, reached 24-1 when stumps were drawn, still 125 runs shy of Trinidad's first innings score of 323-8 declared.

Top-scorers

The Leewards had earlier made 174 in their first innings.

In-form batting all-rounder, Yannick Carriah, 84, and captain, Yannick Ottey, 83, not out topscored for the Trinidadians against Nelson Bolan 3-51.

At Sabina Park, fourth-placed Barbados held a 46-run lead over Guyana heading into today's play. Barbados in reply to their opponents' 169, made 215 with Raymon Reifer, 57, and Shane Dowrich, 47, top-scoring.

Guyana in reply were 95-4.