Jamaica's wicketkeeper, Charlemont High's Kemar Marshall (left) attempts a catch during TCL Group WICB U-19 one-day action at Up Park Camp yesterday. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

A disciplined half-century knock of 84 from Tacky High opener John Campbell guided leaders and title favourites Jamaica to a convincing five-wicket win over the Windward Islands in their TCL Group WICB U-19 one-day clash at Up Park Camp yesterday.

Batting at his preferred number-two spot, 15-year-old Campbell, who is a West Indies U-15 representative, hit 11 fours and shared in two crucial top-order partnerships, first with Brian Clarke, who made 31, and skipper Paul Palmer Jr, who made 13.

Jamaica set a victory target of 179, achieving the landmark for the loss of five wickets.

Dismissed for 178

The Windwards, who began the day at the bottom of the six-team competition without a point, were, earlier in the day, dismissed for 178 with Excelsior High part-time off-spinner Ramon Senior claiming 3-11 off 4.3 overs, and Holmwood Technical all-rounder Jermaine Blackwood, 2-34 off 10.

"It was a good innings. I liked it," said Campbell, who was later named Man of the Match.

"We needed to win this match to remain in the hunt for the double, and I decided I wanted to pilot the effort. It's now on to the Guyana match on Tuesday at Melbourne where we hope to put in a similar performance," he added.

The victory, which was Jamaica's third in as many matches, and seventh on the trot since losing their first match in the three-day competition, kept the team in pole position on maximum 12 points, four more than Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados.

87-run victory

In yesterday's other games, Trinidad and Tobago registered an 87-run victory over the Leewards at Kensington Park, while Barbados lost seven wickets on their way to a win over Guyana at Chedwin Park.

At Up Park Camp, Jamaica won the toss and inserted their opposition who, after being 71-1 at one stage, fell to 113-5 and never recovered. Middle-order batsman Rudolph Paul, 52, Kevon Hodge, 32, and opener Hubert Joseph, 26, top-scored for the Windwards.

In addition to the bowling performances of Senior and Blackwood, Kingston College's Akeem Dewar took 1-26 off 10 overs and Meadowbrook High's Jermaine Cole, 1-29 off seven.

When Jamaica replied, Campbell and Clarke shared in a 53-run opening stand, and Campbell and Palmer Jr in a 61-run second-wicket stand, as Jamaica, recognising their command, closed in for the kill.