ST JOHN’S, Antigua — Holders Barbados are expected to face stiff challenge against Windward Islands at Canaan when the Regional Under-17 Tournament opens on Tuesday in the island of Tobago.

The Barbadians captured the third edition of the Tournament staged last year in the same island by topping the points table, following victories over hosts Trinidad & Tobago then Leeward Islands and Jamaica.

Their only loss came against the Windwards, when they stumbled to a five-wicket defeat at Shaw Park, and their other match against Guyana was abandoned without a ball being bowled.

In the other first round matches of this year’s tournament, T&T meet Leewards at Louis D’Or and Guyana tackle Jamaica at Shaw Park.

Jamaica are set to depart for the tournament tomorrow.

The tournament — in its fourth year — will be contested under a round-robin format, featuring five rounds of 50 overs-a-side matches with the team accumulating the most points being declared champions.

MATCH SCHEDULE

Round 1 – Tuesday, July 7

Leeward Islands vs Trinidad & Tobago at Louis D’Or

Windward Islands vs Barbados at Canaan

Guyana vs Jamaica at Shaw Park

Round 2 – Wednesday, July 8

Barbados vs Leeward Islands at Canaan

Trinidad & Tobago vs Jamaica at Shaw Park

Guyana vs Windward Islands at Louis D’Or

Round 3 – Friday, July 10

Jamaica vs Leeward Islands at Louis D’Or

Barbados vs Guyana at Shaw Park

Windward Islands vs Trinidad & Tobago at Canaan

Round 4 – Sunday, July 12

Guyana vs Leeward Islands at Canaan

Jamaica vs Windward Islands at Shaw Park

Trinidad & Tobago vs Barbados at Louis D’Or

Round 5 – Tuesday, July 14

Windward Islands vs Leeward Islands at Canaan

Trinidad & Tobago vs Guyana at Mount Pleasant

Barbados vs Jamaica at Shaw Park