GROS-ISLET, St. Lucia, (CMC) – A maiden hundred from Gavin Williams led the Leeward Islands back from the doldrums against Windward Islands in the WICB Regional first-class championship yesterday. Williams fashioned a resolute 114 that anchored Leewards to 284 for seven in their second innings – a lead of 38 – at the close on the third day of their seventh round match at the Beausejour Cricket Ground.

The 26-year-old from Antigua struck 18 boundaries from 193 balls in close to 3 ¾ hours of batting to save the Leewards a few blushes.

Jacques Taylor supported with 48 not out, Jahmar Hamilton made 45, and Gavin Tonge was not out on 41 not out to help beef-up the Leewards’ total.

Windwards had declared their first innings on 318 for nine before lunch, after no tail-end batsman distinguished himself.

Tonge finished as the most successful Leewards bowler, claiming three wickets for 72 runs from 19.2 overs, Sherwin Peters bagged two for 37 from 12 overs, and their captain Lionel Baker grabbed two for 77 from 19 overs.

Leewards seemed liked they were desperate to crash to their fifth loss of the season inside three days, when they slumped to 15 for three in their second innings.

Sherwin Peters was caught at first slip for one off left-arm fast-medium bowler Kenroy Peters, his opening partner Juari Edwards was caught behind for 10 off Nelon Pascal, who also trapped Morland Le Blanc lbw for two.

But Williams found Jahmar Hamilton a staunch and reliable partner, and they revived the Leewards innings with a stand of 121 for the fourth wicket.

They carried Leewards to lunch on 80 for two, and continued to plunder the Windwards bowling after the interval before Hamilton was caught behind, when he tried to launch part-time leg spinner Andre Fletcher over mid-wicket only to sky a ball to wicketkeeper Lyndon James.

Leewards then lost Jason Peters caught at slip for five off left-arm spinner Garey Mathurin before Williams reached his milestone.

The visitors were 173 for five at tea, and Mathurin trapped Williams lbw in the first half-hour after the break, when the batsmen attempted a sweep.

Fletcher also had Justin Athanaze caught at deep mid-wicket for five swinging lustily before Tonge joined Taylor and the batted through until the close to add a crucial, unbeaten 61 for the eighth wicket.

Windwards had a major lapse in the field close to the end of the day, when James failed to hold on to a diving catch offered by Taylor when 41 off Johnson Charles.

Fletcher finished the day with two for 32 from five overs, Pascal two for 43 from 15 overs, and Mathurin two for 68 from 29 overs.

Windwards are seeking their third victory over Leewards in the last decade.