ROSEAU, Dominica (CMC) — A cluster of wickets in the final hour, following a resolute maiden first-class hundred from Jonathan Carter, trumped more impressive bowling from Shane Shillingford to give Barbados a slight edge over Windward Islands in their semi-final of the Regional Four-Day Championship here yesterday.

Off-spinner Ashley Nurse has so far taken two for seven from five overs after beanpole left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn made an early breakthrough, as the Windwards, replying to Barbados’ first innings total of 212, reached 31 for three at the close on the opening day at Windsor Park.

This followed a gutsy 116 from Carter that propped up the Barbados batting, as Shillingford continued to bamboozle regional batsmen with his whippy off-spin, grabbing six for 81 from 34 overs, carrying his tally of scalps for the season to 52.

Left-hander Carter finally delivered on his promise, adding some beef to the visitors’ total, after they slumped to 128 for eight about 45 minutes before tea.

He reached the milestone from 152 balls, when he swung Shillingford to the mid-wicket boundary for the last of his eight fours.

Carter also struck three sixes in his 192-ball stay that lasted 219 minutes, saving Barbados from embarrassment with a ninth-wicket stand of 91 with Kemar Roach.

West Indies fast bowler Roach fell for 24, becoming the last of Shillingford’s scalps, before Windwards captain Liam Sebastien wrapped up the innings about 50 minutes after tea, when he had Carter caught at slip.

Barbados went for the jugular almost immediately, employing Benn with the new ball alongside Roach and it paid early rewards.

Benn had Tyrone Theophile caught low at slip for four in the fifth over before Nurse was brought into the attack from the next over, following a fruitless and expensive first two overs from Roach.

Nurse struck in his second over, when left-hander Devon Smith, the most prolific batsman this season, was caught at silly point for 14, and tightened Barbados’ grip, when Johnson Charles essayed a loose drive and was bowled for five.

Andre Fletcher, not out on one, and night-watchman Garey Mathurin, not out on four, battled through another four overs before stumps were drawn.