CASTRIES, St Lucia (CMC) – Despite being out of the running for top honours in this year’s WICB first class tournament, both Combined Campuses and Colleges and the Leeward Islands will look to salvage all they can when they meet in their final round match this afternoon.
CCC will be hoping to finish the tournament in the same positive vein in which they started it last month while the Leewards will be anxious to rebound from their loss in the last round to Guyana.
“It’s a developmental team really and we are looking forward to playing very good cricket. We want to play well in all departments of the game, and go out there with a positive attitude in this match,” CCC’s captain Floyd Reifer told CMC Sports ahead of the day/night encounter at the Beausejour Cricket Ground.
Reifer, who led the West Indies last year during the bitter players strike, said he was very at ease with the team having to play under lights as his outfit had already had the experience of doing so at their home venue, the 3Ws Oval in Barbados.
“We are comfortable under lights. We have lights at the Oval so we are able to adapt,” the left-hander said.
“We are looking forward to a good game and all the guys will be motivated to give their best.”
CCC, fourth in the standings on 24 points, have had a see-saw season. They started with a shock victory over Trinidad and Tobago but have lost three times since then.
Leewards, meanwhile, suffered a massive setback in the last round in T&T when they were beaten by the previously winless Guyana.
Manager Hugh Gore said his side was focused on putting that experience behind them and finishing the season on a high.
“We are going to give a good shot at this game and finish the season with a bang,” said the former Leewards fast bowler.
“We are really looking for good results and the players are motivated to do well.”
Gore admitted that playing under the lights was still a relatively new experience for many in his camp but stressed they were focused on improving.
“It is indeed going to be a new experience but we are looking forward to the challenge,” Gore said.
“All the players are looking forward to this game, despite being the last of the season and being unable to win the championship.
“They all have much at stake bearing in mind the heavy international schedule for the year. I am looking out for improved performances.”
Leewards are fifth in the standings on 22 points after three losses and just a single win this season.
SQUADS:
Leewards – Steve Liburd (captain), Wilden Cornwall, Montcin Hodge, Keiran Powell, Mali Richards, Omari Banks, Garvin Williams, Jamal Hamilton, Demmison Browne, Justin Athanaze, Lioner Baker, Anthony Martin. 
CCC – Floyd Reifer (captain), Omar Phillips, Kyle Corbin, Romel Currency,  Kjorn Ottley, Jamal Smith, Ryan Austin, Kevin McLean, Gilfoprd Moore,  Khishmar Catlyn, Kavesh Kantesingh, Gavin Wallace, Raymond Reifer.