BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC):Half-centuries from Kavem Hodge and Roland Cato led defiant batting from Windward Islands Volcanoes, but West Indies fast bowler Kemar Roach bowled with purpose to keep Barbados Pride in the hunt in the Regional four-day Championship yesterday.
Hodge hit the top score of 63, and Cato made 56, but Roach grabbed 3-45 from 16 overs, including the prized scalp of Devon Smith, the season's most prolific batsman, as Volcanoes reached 241 for six, replying to Barbados Pride's first-innings total of 316, on the second day of their eighth-round match at Kensington Oval.
Kyle Mayers was not out on 30, and Shane Shillingford was not out on seven.
Hodge and Cato are the future of the Volcanoes' batting, and they gave a glimpse of what might be possible with the right work and encouragement, sharing 68 for the fourth wicket to bring a bit of stability back to the visitors' batting after they were wobbling on 96 for three.
Hodge was at the crease for 157 minutes, faced 137 balls, and hit six fours, and Cato batted for 154 minutes, received 116 balls and struck eight fours.
Hodge has benefited from being a student over the past few years on the Cave Hill campus of the University of the West Indies, a few kilometres north of this venue.
He would be very familiar with many of his opponents, having played for the university's championship-winning side in the top division of the domestic club competition.
Hodge played some handsome strokes either side of the wicket and reached his 50 from 97 balls when he drove leg-spinner Hayden Walsh, Jr to deep cover and scrambled for two.
But he once again frustrated his supporters when he played an ill-advised cross-batted stroke and was caught at deep backward square leg off Roston Chase's uncomplicated off-spin.
Earlier, Smith, whose 873 runs is the highest aggregate for the season, and regular opening partner Tyron Theophile, the Volcanoes' captain, appeared to be giving their side a solid start before Roach bowled the visitors' veteran left-handed opener for 26, leaving him one short of the 900-run mark.