By BRIJ PARASNATH

Guyana were soundly beaten by their Trinidadian counterparts, losing by an innings and 48 runs,in their 3rd round encounter of the West Indies Cricket Board Regional U-19, 2-Innings competition at the Sion Hill playing field, St Vincent and Grenadines,yesterday.Guyana, the 2014 and 2015 back-to-back champions,were dethroned with 16-year-old Bhaskar Yadram being the lone hero with a valiant 84,and emerged with his promising reputation intact as he showed that there is still some hope for the younger players to establish themselves regionally.
Facing a deficit of 211 runs after they were bundled out for a paltry 85 (44.4 overs) in their first innings, Guyana made a determined effort to avoid an embarrassing defeat through the brilliance of Yadram, who was promoted to the number three position.
On Friday afternoon, he fought bravely and initially got support from Travis Persaud who made (19). Together,the two restored some pride for Guyana with a 78-run third wicket partnership which allowed Guyana to close the dayon 102 for the loss of three wickets after 41.4 overs.
They had all of yesterday(90 overs) to salvage a draw and preserve some dignity. But it was not to be, and clearly a poor reflection of their past achievements, as they suffered their third consecutive defeat after they lost their remaining seven wickets for an addition of 61 runs off 22 overs.
Yadram, who was unbeaten on 67 on Friday, became Jonathan Bootan’s third wicket of the second innings. The off-spinner finished with three wickets for 37 runs in the second innings.
The QPCC player finished with a match-haul of 10 for 60, and was supported by left-arm spinner Bryan Boodram who claimed two for 14,and medium-pacer Jarlanie Seales with three for 31, to spark celebrations among the Trinidadians, whose exploits pushed them into contention for a place in the top three positions, if not the overall title,in the six-nation tournament.
Yadram struck one six and eight fours off 156 balls,while Sharfane Rutherford (10), and Marlon Hubbard (11),were the other players to reach double figures.
Meanwhile, Jamaica also bounced back into contention for the title when they crushed Leeward Islands by 146 runs in their match played at the Stubbs playing field.
On Friday afternoon, Jamaica had set front-runners Leeward Islands a mammoth 315 runs to win their third round match at the Stubbs playing field in St Vincent and The Grenadines.
On the first day, Javelle Glenn blazed eight sixes and nine fours off 102 balls, as he topscored with 110 and allowed Jamaica to declare their first innings at 250 for 8 off 58.2 overs.
At the close of play on Thursday, Leewards replied with 138 for 4 after 38 overs, and added only forty more runs for the loss of their remaining six wickets on Friday. Jeavor Royal 5 for 60, Michael Frew 3 for 48, and Andre Bailey were the main wicket-takers.
Having secured a lead of 110,Jamaica made another declaration at 243 for 7 (68.5 overs) in their second innings with fifty-two runs each from Jordane Hill, Michael Frew,and Dominik Samuels.
However, there was no respite for the Leewards’ batsmen who were outfoxed by Royal, who became Jamaica’s chief wrecker with 7 wickets for 64 runs in 23 overs, and match analysis of 11 for 117.
Leewards’ openers Tyrone Williams (50) and Kofi James (39) showed tremendous tenacity and posted 92 for the first wicket.
But once Royal dismissed both of them,there was limited resistance from the others as Leewards sustained their first defeat after being giant-killers when they defeated Windwards and Guyana in their first two rounds to head the standings at 33.4 points.
Barbados 22, Trinidad and Tobago 18.5,and Jamaica 18.2 points respectively,followed in that order after two rounds.
A new champion will be crowned,and bonus points will determine the eventual winner with Leewards, T&T and Jamaica the main contenders.