JAMAICA’S women began their title defence in positive fashion by brushing off the Windward Islands by seven wickets in the Women’s T20 Blaze, Thursday. The victory was set up by outstanding bowling by Jamaica’s trio of Chedean Nation, Nicole Campbell and Vanessa Watts, with each claiming three wickets to restrict the Windward Islands to 85 in 18.3 overs after they elected to bat first at the Arnos Vale Playing Field in the third match on the opening day. Afy Fletcher, who scored a fighting 32 from 23 balls was the lone batter to offer any form of resistance in an otherwise disappointing display by the Windward Islands. Thanks to the efforts of Nation (three for seven), Campbell (three for 13) and Watts (three for 18), the Windward Islands suffered a dramatic middle order collapse that saw them lose their last seven wickets for 37 runs. With the score 48 for three, Nation dismissed Zaida James for three, Campbell trapped Jannillea Glasgow lbw for a duck, before Nation accounted for Fletcher’s wicket with the very next ball to reduce the Windward Islands to 51 for six. It took Carena Noel’s knock of 15 to get the Windward Islands up to their total with Campbell and Watts polishing off the tail. Jamaica’s captain Rashada Williams then struck an unbeaten 41 off 49 balls at the top of the order to guide her team to 86 for three off 15.2 overs. Williams, along with Chinelle Henry, who scored 26 off 22 balls, added 41 runs for the third wicket to carry their side within victory, before Henry lost her wicket with just two runs required. SUMMARISED SCORES WINDWARD ISLANDS 85, 18.3 overs (Afy Fletcher 32, Carena Noel 15, Zaida James 11; Chedean Nation 3/7, Nicole Campbell 3/13, Vanessa Watts 3/18). vs JAMAICA 86-3, 15.2 overs (Rashada Williams 41 n.o., Chinelle Henry 26, Jodian Morgan 13). ---Jamaica women won by seven wickets.