DEFENDING champions Jamaica made it four consecutive victories and sealed a spot in the semi-final of the Regional Super50 tournament after comfortably dismantling the struggling Leewards Islands by 57 runs yesterday at Sabina Park in Kingston.

Jamaica piled up a respectable 253-4 thanks to Danza Hyatt’s man-of-the-match 99 as well as respective half-centuries from captain Tamar Lambert and the impressive Andre McCarthy.

In reply, the Leeward Islands battled gamely through skipper Sylvester Joseph’s enterprising 83, but a disciplined Jamaica bowling performance proved too good and the visitors were limited to 196 all out.

Scores: Jamaica 253-4 (50 overs); Leewards Islands 196 (44.4 overs).

Batting first, Jamaica, playing without all-rounder Andre Russell after he was forced to depart yesterday for the Indian Premier League (IPL), got off to a disappointing start when both openers were sent back in short order.

Nkrumah Bonner (one) was the first to go when he edged medium pacer Kelbert Walters through to stand-in wicketkeeper Jamar Hamilton with the score on five.

Moments later it was 10-2 when left-hander Simon Jackson (four) was also caught by Hamilton, but this time off the bowling of seamer Gavin Tonge.

The fluent McCarthy (59) then dominated a 92-run third-wicket stand with a subdued-looking Hyatt as Jamaica pushed Leewards on the back foot.

McCarthy, riding high on confidence, effortlessly attacked both the quicker bowlers and the spinners in stroking four boundaries and two sixes before he was run out attempting a sharp single.

His dismissal brought together the pair of Lambert and Hyatt and they combined to post a quickfire 151 for the fourth wicket — a partnership largely aided shambolic bowling and fielding by the Leewards team.

Lambert, who belted a 67-ball 77 not out, seemed to inspire Hyatt into firing several attacking shots as the latter closed in on his second hundred in regional 50-overs cricket.

It was not to be for the 30-year-old, however, as he was run out from the last ball of the innings, half-heartedly attempting to complete a second run to reach the milestone. He struck nine fours and four sixes off 124 balls.

Pacers Kelbert Walters and Gavin Tonge took one wicket each for the Leewards.