Cato's 90 lifts Volcanoes

ST GEORGE, Grenada (CMC):

Roland Cato failed to reach his maiden first-class hundred, as he led Windward Islands Volcanoes' batting before Leeward Islands Hurricanes fought back with a cluster of late wickets in the Regional 4-Day Championship yesterday.

The former Windwards Under-19 captain hit 90 to anchor the Volcanoes to 220 for seven in their first innings at the close on the first day of the first round match at the National Cricket Stadium.

Cato struck five fours and one six from 154 balls and shared two successive century stands that were at the heart of the home team's batting.

DISMISSED

He shared 50 with discarded West Indies batsman Kirk Edwards for the third wicket, and followed up with a 105-run stand with Kavem Hodge for the fourth wicket before they were dismissed within four balls of each other.

Familiarity bred success for Mervyn Matthew, the former Volcanoes fast-medium bowler, as he was the pick of the Hurricanes' bowlers with 3-22 from 15 overs.

Volcanoes suffered an early setback when Devon Smith was caught behind of Jeremiah Louis for 16 inside the first hour.

Just when it appeared that they were inching to lunch without further loss, new Volcanoes captain Tyrone Theophile was run out for 23.

After lunch, Matthew struck when he trapped Edwards leg before wicket for 35, but Cato and Hodge brought stability to the innings, ensuring the Volcanoes did not lose another wicket before tea.