ST JOHN'S, CANA: THE Leeward Islands, set up by a maiden first class hundred by Nevisian Runako Morton, hold a clear advantage heading into the final day of their fifth round Busta Cup cricket match against Jamaica at the Antigua Recreation Ground.

At the close of the third day, the visitors who dismissed the Leewards for 338 just after lunch, were 128 for six - still 57 runs behind - with Nehemiah Perry on eight and Ricardo Powell on 6.

Jamaica, started their innings needing 185 to avoid an innings defeat after an excellent century from Morton, paved the way for the Leewards.

Morton, who resumed overnight on 69, with the Leewards on 254 for seven, found support from veteran pacer Curtly Ambrose.

The 21-year-old Morton reached his century in 250 minutes off 206 balls and struck 11 fours. He survived some anxious moments - particularly against off-spinner Perry - while in the nineties, but he kept his cool, as he shared in an eighth-wicket stand of 105, with Ambrose.

But Adams eventually took the new ball after 117.1 overs, with Franklyn Rose and Laurie Williams operating, just before lunch.

In the second over with the new ball, Ambrose was bowled by Williams for 34.

Ambrose batted for 180 minutes, faced 129 balls and struck three fours, before losing his off stump to a ball from Williams which skidded, on the stroke of lunch.

The Leewards went to lunch at 328 for eight with Morton on 109. But immediately after lunch, Morton was out caught by wicket-keeper Mathew Sinclair running out to square leg, after hooking at Rose for 110.

Scoreboard
Jamaica's 1st innings 153
Leewards' 1st innings
(overnight 254-7)

R. Morton c wkp Sinclair b Rose 110
C. Ambrose b Williams 34
K. Jeremy not out 3
G. Prince lbw b Williams 0
Extras (b7, lb5, nb29) 41
Total (all out, 123.5 overs) 338
Fall of wickets: 1-36, 2-132, 3-133, 4-146, 5-190, 6-194, 7-223, 8-328, 9-330.
Bowling: Walsh 26-10-50-3 (nb7), Rose 13-1-70-2 (nb11), Perry 31-5-96-1 (nb10),
Gayle 2-0-8-0, Williams 18.5-6-33-3 (nb1), Adams 33-6-69-1.

Jamaica's 2nd innings

C.Gayle c Tuckett b Jeremy 7
C.Wright lbw b Ambrose 7
W.Hinds lbw b Jeremy 10
J.Adams c wkp Jacobs b Tuckett 24
L.Williams c & b Cornwall 50
R.Samuels c Cornwall b Arthurton 2
R.Powell not out 6
N.Perry not out 8
Extras (lb8, nb6) 14
Total (for 6 wickets, 49 overs) 128
Fall of wickets: 1-16, 2-26, 3-32, 4-89, 5-106, 6-118.
Bowling: Ambrose 9-6-5-1, Jeremy 7-3-31-2, Prince 5-0-24-0, Tuckett 10-3-22-1 (nb4), Arthurton 12-3-21-1, Cornwall 6-2-17-1 (nb2).