Coasting along at 87 for two on Tuesday, St Vincent and the Grenadines looked well set to overhaul the Grenadians first innings score of 170 all out in 52.3 overs, as their big guns’ powder failed to ignite, in their round two clash of the 2009 Windward Islands Senior Cricket Tournament at the Mindoo Philip Park.

Devon Smith went early, leg-before to the impressive teenager Delorn Johnson for 00, facing 19 deliveries, and Andre Fletcher was soon caught by Hector off Johnson for 01.

The Vincentian attack kept the pressure on, and the boys from spice-land found themselves hurrying to be prepared as the possession to and from the dressing room resembled that of a ticket line at a much awaited football game; unending.

The seemingly ageless Deighton Butler took two for 47, Delorn Johnson two for 26, Kenroy Peters two for 25, Dyke Cato two for 45, and Alston Bobb two for 21; as wickets fell at four, six, eight, 36, 69, 69, 85, 130, 167, and 170.

They never recovered, and were 105 for seven at lunch. Only Ronald Etienne with 57 before he caught by Heron Shallow off Peters, Denis George 32 bowled by Cato, Garfield Charles 28 also bowled by Cato, and John Olive 17; were the only batsmen who put up any resistance, as they totaled 170 with only eight extras bowled.

The Vincentians started cautiously as they lost an early wicket with only a run on the board, but sensible batting saw them progressing to 40 before the second wicket fell.

Then came the dramatic collapse by the Vincentians, as a flurry of wickets was gifted to the opposition, as the Vincentians imploded.

Dornwell Hector driving at Camillus Alexander to whom he had taking a liking with a series of punishing blows, was caught at short extra-cover by Captain Rawle Lewis for 59.

In strode Captain Lyndon James to the wicket who drove at Alexander but found Lewis in the way at the very same position; caught for a duck.

Was he still suffering from the knock he sustained on the head while running for a ball, no one knows, he left the field after just one over was bowled. When St Vincent and the Grenadines fielded a second time, it was Salman Browne who took up duties behind the stumps, and Deighton Butler the stand-in captain.

With his tail up, Alexander was swathed by Peters on the hat-trick ball, but the damage was done, and like any good leader, Rawle Lewis brought himself back on, and the rattle of wickets were deafening.

With the first two wickets falling at 01 and 40, the third at 87, then came the possession. It was 99 for four, 99 for five, 99 for six, 116 for seven, 122 for eight, 124 for nine, and all out for 131, to give the Grenadians a 39-run first inning lead.

Nine extras were bowled, as Lewis with five for 17 off 10 with four maidens, Camillus Alexander three for 45 off seven, John olive took two for 26 off five and Denis George one for nine off nine overs with five maidens were the main destroyers.

Nelon Pascal running in with all his hustle and bustle, bowled with pace but was guilty of pitching his deliveries too short, to which Hector cut and pulled him with glee; Pascal was quickly taken off the attack with figures of none for 24 off four overs.

With twelve overs left in the day’s play, Grenada progressed to 21 without loss before the umpires offered the light which the batsmen accepted.

Devon Smith is not out on 12, and Lyndon Lawrence not out on nine, with Delorn Johnson, son of former
St Vincent and the Grenadines and Windward Islands opening batsman Darnley Joseph none for eight off two overs and Kenroy Peters none for 13 also off two overs.

An interesting final day’s play is still remaining for Grenada with an overall lead of 60, may very fancy their chances with a mid-afternoon declaration in the hope of forcing an innings victory, as the Vincentians are staring possible defeat in the face.

Over at the Beausejour Cricket Ground, against hosts St Lucia, Dominica on the strength of a 173-run unbroken third wicket partnership between Junior Jervier (61), and Tyrone Theophile (120 retired hurt), totalled 274 for nine in their first innings.

The St Lucians dropped nine catches in all, with four chances being grassed in the morning session, as the Dominicans made way while the Saint Lucians sun shone in their favour.

The only other batsmen to put up a reasonable score was Mervin Mathews with 34, and Kevin James the captain with 28.

St Lucia’s captain Darren Sammy took three for 42, Xavier Gabriel three for 46, and Gairy Mathurin two for 76.
In their turn at the crease, St Lucia lost an early wicket. Esau Gabriel being dismissed by Jean Paul (one for 12) for five, but Keddy Lesporis (23 not out) and Denis Louis (12 not out) saw the hosts to the close at 41 for one.