BASSETERRE, St Kitts (CMC) – Dave Bernard Jr completed a memorable spell of bowling to help usher Jamaica to a 10-wicket victory, and condemn Leeward Islands to their third loss in the WICB Regional first-class championship yesterday. Bernard ended with five wickets for 40 runs from 16 overs and earned the Man-of-the-Match award, as Leewards were dismissed for 209 in their second innings about 15 minutes before the lunch interval on the final day of their fourth round match at Warner Park.
Danza Hyatt then formalised the result for Jamaica, needing 13 to win, when he struck Tonito Willett for the last of his three boundaries about five minutes after the interval.
This venue has been a happy hunting ground for the Jamaicans in the last three season. They also beat the Leewards two years ago, and last year at this venue.
The victory earned Jamaica the full 12 points and increased their tally to 36, with the Leewards ending empty-handed to remain on just three points.
Jamaica plunged Leewards into deeper trouble within the first 10 minutes of play, when the home team lost the overnight pair of Jahmar Hamilton and Tonito Willett without addition the overnight total of 132 for five.
Jamaica captain Tamar Lambert, twirling his uncomplicated off-spin, held a return catch to dismiss Hamilton for 26, and Willett was run-out by Brendan Nash’s direct hit for the top score of 60. He batted just over two hours, faced 112 balls, and struck seven fours and one six.
The Jamaicans continued to tighten the screws, and Bernard struck, when Gavin Tonge drove him to mid-off and was caught for three to leave the Leewards 143 for eight.
But the visitors discovered there was some sting in the Leewards’ tail, when Lionel Baker joined Jacques Taylor, and confidently put on 40 for the ninth wicket.
Lambert soon turned to his champion leg-spinner Odean Brown, and he obliged with the breakthrough, having Baker caught at long-off, and then wrapped up the innings in 20 minutes, when he bowled Anthony Martin for six to finish with three for 67 from 26.1 overs
The Championship takes a break this  weekend, but resumes on March 11, when Jamaica will host Combined Campuses & Colleges at Chedwin Park, and Leewards travel to face Trinidad & Tobago at the National Cricket Centre.