INNSWOOD, Jamaica (CMC) – Wavell Hinds and Donovan Pagon led solid batting from defending champions Jamaica to lead them to a healthy first innings lead over Windward Islands in the WICB Regional four-day, first-class competition yesterday.

Hinds hit the top score 95 and Pagon supported with 56, as Jamaica, replying to Windwards’ first innings total of 181, were dismissed for 335 about 15 minutes before the scheduled close on the second day of the first round match at Chedwin Park.

Andrew Richardson then strengthened the Jamaicans’ grip on the match, when he removed Devon Smith for a duck, as Windwards reached 19 for one at stumps.

The fair-sized crowd at the old sugar estate ground roared with glee, when Richardson bowled Smith with the very first delivery of the innings to leave the Windwards with a mountainous task to save the match over the next two days.

Earlier, Jamaica had made steady progress throughout the day, as the Windwards bowlers were made to toil long and hard in the face of sloppy fielding.

Pagon, who started the day on nine, kept the Jamaica innings together, in the early stages. He oftentimes played the anchor role in partnerships with his captain Tamar Lambert and left-hander Brendan Nash.

Pagon withstood the fiery pace of Nelon Pascal, who bowled with zip throughout the day, albeit with limited success in his two for 88 off 19 overs.

Pagon and Lambert shared a 48-run alliance for the third wicket before the Jamaica captain was caught on the long-leg boundary for 27 attempting a hook shot off Pascal.

By lunch, Jamaica had progressed to 113 for three, but Nash fell to leg-spinner Rawl Lewis for 40, following an innings that included a number of textbooks drives, particularly through cover.

Jamaica then slid to 151 for five, when Pagon was stumped on the second attempt by wicketkeeper Lyndon James off Lewis. He struck eight fours from 115 balls in 217 minutes.

His scalp seemed to re-energise the Windwards, but Hinds and Dave Bernard Jr consolidated with a 78-run partnership for the sixth wicket that not only guaranteed Jamaica first innings points, but frustrated the Windwards.

Bernard made 33, and Carlton Baugh Jr collected 23, as Jamaica continued to pile on the pressure.

Hinds in the meantime continued to power his way to glory. Eyeing the first century of the season, the 33-year-old misjudged a ball from Peters, and was bowled trying to flick to leg.