Jermaine Lannaman, Star Writer

A good all-rounder performance from sidlelined West Indies middle order batsman Ryan Hinds propelled Barbados to a four wicket win over the Leeward Islands in their West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) President's Cup one-day tournament Group B clash at Sabina Park yesterday.

Hinds, bowling his steady left-arm spin, claimed 3-31 off his allotted 10 overs before returning to make 51 as Barbados set a modest victory target of 240, did so for the loss of six wickets.

The 29 year-old Hinds, who last represented the West Indies last year against touring Bangladesh, was best supported by 25 year-old middle order batsman Kirk Edwards who made 68, and Suliemann Benn, who snared 2-24 off his maximum.

"We are very happy as I thought the Leewards batted fairly well and put us under some pressure. But having said that young Edwards and myself showed the requisite application," said Hinds, who slammed six fours in his 60-ball knock.

"Our first aim is get through the group stages, so our mindset will now focus on Guyana and the High Performance Centre," he added.

Edwards, who made his West Indies 'A' debut earlier this year against India A, and for the most part looked composed during his 95-ball innings knock, hit five boundaries.

Attacking opener Dale Richards 29 and Dwayne Richards, 25, also made decent contributions to Barbados' total against off-spinner, Justin Athanaze, who claimed 3-44 off his maximum 10 overs.

Earlier, the Leewards were propelled to their total thanks to boundary laden 85 from captain, Wilden Cornwall.

The 37-year-old hit six sixes and eight fours in his 59-ball knock, and shared in a 227-run fifth wicket stand with off-spinner Omari Banks, who made 41 off 57 balls.

"Given the partnership between myself and Omari Banks, we should have made about about 270 or 280, which would have been a more challenging total," said Cornwall.

The result, which was one of two Group B encounters contested on the day, saw Barbados rising to the top alongside Guyana, who turned back the challenge of the youngsters the WICB/Sagicor High Performance Centre by a mere three runs at Kensington Park.

Barbados are scheduled to play Guyana at Sabina Park, the Lee-wards play the High Performance Centre at Kensington, in the group's next set of matches tomorrow.