BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – Jeetendra Sookdeo stroked another composed half-century and steered Guyana to a five-wicket victory over the Leeward Islands in their TCL Group West Indies Under-19 match yesterday.

The 17-year-old Sookdeo followed up his first innings 53 with 77 as the Guyanese — set 134 to win – completed victory at 134 for five in the first over after tea on the last day of the three-day fixture at Kensington Oval.

Young Montserratian off-spinner Tevin Osbourne was the most successful bowler for the Leewards, superbly snaring three for 44 off 18 overs.

Already trailing on first innings, the Leewards plunged into further trouble early yesterday when they could only add 23 runs to their overnight score of 116 for six.

It took Guyana just 36 minutes to wrap up the innings on a very good batting track.

Only wicketkeeper Javia Hamilton, who hit 27 off 95 balls in 96 minutes, offered any resistance to the leg-spin of Jonathan Foo (3-15) and pacer Leon Scott (4-37).

Foo struck with the first ball of the day when he removed Kelbert Walters (9).

He then sent back Adelvin Phillip (3) and Hamilton in quick succession as the Islanders slumped to 137 for nine.

Hamilton’s only boundary was a swat over long-on for six off Foo,

Two runs later, Scott, who has had a very good opening game in his second year at this level, trapped Osbourne lbw for a duck to leave the Guyanese with an easy victory target in just over two and a half sessions.

Off-spinner Herman Latcha took two for 18 to follow up his three for 53 in the first innings for the Guyanese, who began their run-chase badly when Adelvin Phillip trapped a tentative Royan Fredericks lbw before Guyana had scored.

Sookdeo again looked confident and along with Trevon Griffith, revived the innings with a 50-run partnership before Griffith (16) went leg-before to Osbourne seven minutes before lunch.

Seon Hetmyer was floored by a quick delivery from pacer Adelvin Phillip and was forced to retire hurt on the stroke of lunch for one with Guyana on 51 for two, and the elegant Sookdeo unbeaten on 31.

It was revealed that Hetmyer, one of five players who played in last year’s team, was not wearing a protective ‘box’ since the right-hander from Berbice is uncomfortable batting with the important protective equipment.

The Leewards, handicapped with their leading bowler Walters out of the attack due to a side strain, struck just after lunch when Foo (4) played back without any conviction and was lbw to Adelvin Phillip to continue his dismal showing with the bat for Guyana.

Guyana had slipped then to 64 for three..

Skipper Eugene La Fleur then joined Sookdeo in hot conditions and the left-handed pair took the defending champions to within 19 runs of victory before Sookdeo, who reached his second fifty of the match with an edged boundary to third man off Phillip from 103 minutes and 77 balls, lofted Osbourne to long-off with the score on 115 for four.

La Fleur, who played the supporting role in the 51-run stand with Sookdeo, was removed by the 16-year-old Osbourne for 14 at 125 for five to facilitate the return of Hetmyer.

At tea, Guyana were a mere one run away from victory.

Hetmyer finished unbeaten on four while Anthony Bramble, who made 51 in the first innings, was not out on five as Guyana, watched by a small crowd which included mostly Guyanese, joined hosts Barbados at the top of the points table with 12 points after one round.

Barbados had beaten the Windwards just under an hour earlier.

Guyana, hunting their 13th title, face the Windward Islands at Combermere in their next match while the Leeward Islands oppose reigning limited overs champions Jamaica in their next game at Lester Vaughan.

Both games are scheduled to start on Wednesday.