BRIDGETOWN, CANA - DEFENDING champions Jamaica had an easy trip to the semi-finals of the NorTel Networks West Indies Under-19 one-day competition when they brushed aside Canada by nine wickets at the Barclays Sports Club yesterday.

After dismissing the Canadians for 176 in 44.4 overs, the Jamaicans, who won the inaugural tournament in Trinidad and Tobago last year, batted enterprisingly to reach 177 for one off 33.2 overs.

The Jamaicans now seek a spot in the final but will need to get over the Leeward Islands in the semi-final at North Stars Ground, on the northern tip of the island.

The victory was made easy by a magnificent opening stand of 149 between Brenton Parchment and David Bernard. Parchment, who batted well in the three-day segment, made 73 off 87 balls including six fours and two sixes.

Bernard, a versatile allrounder, who was promoted to open the innings, remained unbeaten on 70, which included eight fours off 112 balls while captain Tamar Lambert made 13 not out.

Canada's bowling lacked penetration on a placid pitch and to add to their woes, Bernard was let off early in the innings at slip.

Jamaica were aggressive from the start with the 50 coming off just 11 overs, while the century-stand was posted in the 19th over. Just as the 150 was approaching, Parchment attempted to hit his third six, but was well caught off a skier by Nathan Richards off occasional medium-pacer Adeel Hussain.

Earlier, Canada's innings was lifted by a breezy 48 not out from captain Ashish Bagai. The stylish right-hander hit four boundaries off just 62 balls before he ran out of partners.

He received brief support from K.M. Khalil, who hit two huge sixes and a four in 21 off 13 balls, before he became one of three wickets for medium-pacer Rashad Marshall.

Marshall ended with three for 14 off 6.4 overs, spinner Marlon Samuels (2-28) and speedsters Jermaine Lawson (2-29) and Andrew Richardson (2-36) all bowled well.