The West Indies Rising Stars Under-19 Championship came to an exciting conclusion on Sunday with a see-saw battle in the Final between the Leeward Islands and Barbados at Arnos Vale.
The Leewards eventually prevailed by one wicket after desperately holding on in the last session of the day.
Nathan Edwards, the left-handed all-rounder ended unbeaten on 11 which came off 55 balls in over 90 minutes at the crease, played a defensive master-class to help Leewards hold on in their second innings on 51-9 to avoid being bowled out and deny Barbados the title in dramatic fashion.
After some tactical maneuvering early in the day, the equation to win the Final meant Leewards either chasing down the 106 to win or just batting out the final session while Barbados had to get all 10 wickets. The Bajans started the demolition well with early wickets from Johan Layne and Nathan Sealy seemingly bowling Barbados to victory.
In the end it was not to be as Edwards and last man Onaje Armoy survived the final stages to win the championship for the Leeward Islands.
Barbados got some consolation though as they took the Under-15 version Rising Stars title.