Bess five-for puts Guyana on top

Brandon Bess began his Regional Four Day Competition campaign on a high, grabbing a five-for for Guyana against Jamaica at the Alpart Sports Club in St. Elizabeth. Four Jamaica batsmen, including Marlon Samuels and Brendan Nash, made 20s but failed to push on as Bess, with support from spinners Devendra Bishoo and Veerasammy Permaul, ran through the line-up to bowl it out for 150. In their reply, Guyana lost opener Shemroy Barrington for 13 and ended the day on 32 for 1.

Only 48 overs were possible on a rain-affected day at Guarancara Park in Pointe-a-Pierre where Barbados reached 133 for 2 against hosts Trinidad and Tobago. Barbados lost openers Dale Richards and Kraigg Brathwaite but Kirk Edwards finished with an unbeaten 75 to help lay a strong platform for his team.

England Lions took control of their contest against Leeward Islands at the Warner Park in Basseterre, courtesy an unbeaten century from captain James Hildreth and his ongoing 186-run stand with James Taylor. Opener Adam Lyth led England's charge at the top of the order, making a fluent 55 while Ravi Bopara chipped in with a steady 46. Leewards had evened things out when they had England Lions at 134 for 3, but Hildreth, who struck 13 fours, and Lyth, who supported him with 79, put the visitors on top.

Windward Islands held a slight edge over Combined Campuses and Colleges on a wicket-filled day at the three Ws Oval in Bridgetown. A collective bowling effort from Windwards, led by the offspin of Liam Sebastien, skittled out CCC for 131. Sebastien grabbed three wickets, and was supported by Keon Peters and Keron Cottoy who picked up two each. Windwards had been shaping up well in their response with Johnson Charles, Andre Fletcher and Keddy Lesporis each getting starts. But spin worked the magic again in the day as Ryan Austin and Nkruma Bonner shared four wickets to limit Windwards to 145 for 7 at stumps, a lead of just 14.