THE VALLEY, Anguilla (CMC) – Leeward Islands fast bowler Brent Defreitas claimed a maiden first-class five-wicket haul but Trinidad and Tobago, bolstered by a near-century knock from their captain Daren Ganga, remained in control of their 13th round WICB Regional Four-day match yesterday.

Ganga struck an unbeaten 96 as visiting T&T tallied 433 all out in reply to the Leewards’ first innings score of 303 on day three at the Ronald Webster Park.

Defreitas bagged five for 88 off 21.4 overs but T&T enjoyed a 130-run first innings lead and then restricted the Leewards to an uncomfortable 142 for four at stumps, the home side’s position made worse with the late dismissal of in-form Runako Morton for a robust half-century.

From an overnight 292 for three, just 11 runs shy of the Leewards’ first innings score, T&T duly picked up first innings honours within the first four overs and — although they lost four wickets in the session — were 80 runs ahead at lunch.

Jason Mohammed added just six to his overnight score before being trapped leg-before-wicket by Tonito Willett for eight.

Pacers Defreitas and Gavin Tonge made further inroads for the home side by removing Sherwin Ganga (10) and Daron Cruickshank (10) respectively.

The Leewards celebrated another wicket before the lunch-break when Gibran Mohammed (6) was run-out by Willett after he was sent back by Daren Ganga attempting a very risky single.

Captain Ganga used the session to construct his 44th first-class half-century, reaching the mark off 102 balls in 146 minutes with six boundaries.

T&T added another 50 runs — to their lunch-time score of 383 for seven – before their innings folded mid-way the afternoon session.

Ganga ran out of partners and fell four short of a hundred – his 171-ball innings containing 10 fours and a splendid straight six off leg-spinner Anthony Martin.

Veteran all-rounder Wilden Cornwall had removed Rayad Emrit (26) for the Leewards’ first success after lunch, and the St Vincent-born Defreitas dislodged Amit Jaggernauth and Navin Stewart both without scoring to wrap up the visitors’ innings.

After openers Imran Khan (125) and Adrian Barath (113) had posted a first-wicket stand of 239 on Saturday, T&T had appeared poised for a 500-plus total and although they were unable to keep that pace, they still managed a considerable first-innings advantage.

Emrit then struck an early blow for T&T when he sent back Montcin Hodge for a duck, the young Anguillan failing to control his leg-side shot and was caught by Sherwin Ganga at backward square.

Kieran Powell (40) lashed seven boundaries in an entertaining knock that ended when he was bowled by Jaggernauth.

Codville Rogers joined Morton and the St Kitts and Nevis pair posted 69 for the third wicket before off-spinner Sherwin Ganga removed Rogers, caught behind for 25.

Morton, who belted unprecedented back-to-back double-centuries against Barbados and the Combined Campuses & Colleges last month, played solidly and appeared set for his fourth triple-figure score this season but gifted his wicket in the day’s last over for 72.

Attempting a huge shot at Ganga, Morton got a top-edge and the ball went high for Khan to run around at backward point to take the catch.

Morton faced 123 balls and struck seven boundaries in his innings.

He left Willett not out on nought with only captain Steve Liburd, Devon Thomas, and Wilden Cornwall as batsmen of note to save the game on today’s final day.

In spite of their moderate position of fourth in the standings, T&T have had fewer losses than any other team in the tournament and will be gunning for only their second win this season, having played to eight draws in 10 matches so far.