CATHERINE HALL, St James — The Bahamian flag was flying high and the large contingent from the multi-island state danced in the stands at the Montego Bay Sports Complex on Saturday night’s second session of the 40th Lime CARIFTA Games as they threatened to sweep all four sprint titles on offer.

After winning the first three events, both Under-17s and the girls’ Under-20, hosts Jamaica’s blushes were spared with the fit again Jazeel Murphy and Kemar Bailey-Cole won the gold and silver for Jamaica in the boys’ Under-20 finals.

After impressive displays in the semi-finals, it was expected to be a Jamaica vs the Bahamas showdown as either country qualified two runners in each of the four finals.

After winning just two 100m medals last year in the Cayman island, Jamaica, the current “sprint capital of the world” with nearly all the global titles, still disappointed despite an improved showing.

Jamaicans won five of the 12 medals on offer, one gold, three silvers and a bronze, while the Bahamas won three golds and a bronze.

Devynne Charlton beat Jamaica’s Shauna Helps for the girls’ Under-17 gold, while in the boys’ Under-17, Delano Davis of the Bahamas finished in front of Jamaica’s Jevaughn Minzie.

Anthonique Strachan won the girls’ Under-20 title, while Jamaica’s Christania Williams was third behind Trinidad’s Michelle-Lee Ahye.

Jamaica had the last laugh, however, as Murphy who got off to his customary slow start, turned on the jets midway the race to catch and pass the fast starting Bailey-Cole as both Jamaicans ran personal best times of 10.27 and 10.28 seconds, respectively.

The Bahamas took third as Shavez Hart ran 10.51.