GROS ISLET, St Lucia, CMC – Leaders Guyana Jaguars remained on course for a title repeat when they trounced Wind-ward Islands Volcanoes by six wickets on a dramatic third day when 17 wickets fell here yesterday.
The visitors were dismissed for 339 in the morning session to secure a first innings lead of 123 at the Beausejour Cricket Stadium and then promptly dismissed Volcanoes for 161, to set themselves a target of 39 for victory.
Drama then followed as Jaguars crashed to 13 for four before Man-of-the-Match and captain Leon Johnson smashed a four and a six in an unbeaten 17 off 15 deliveries, to see his side to victory in the eighth round contest.
The win handed the title-holders 18 points and propelled them to 125 points, keeping them in pole position to pick up their second straight Regional four-day title.
Resuming the morning on 310 for six, Jaguars added 29 runs with Barbadian Raymon Reifer finishing on 37 not out, and seamer Mervin Matthew claiming six for 81 – his third five-wicket haul in first class cricket.
Reifer then sliced through the Volcanoes innings to finish with four for 35 while Test leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo claimed three for 71, as Volcanoes slumped badly in their second innings.
Veteran opener Devon Smith hit his second half-century of the match with 51, while Shane Shillingford struck 26 and Dalton Polius got 22.
They were cruising at 90 for two at one stage but lost their last eight wickets for just 71 runs.
Tyrone Theophile perished cheaply for one in the third over of the innings with six runs on the board but Smith inspired two key partnerships to keep Volcanoes stable.
He put on 41 for the second wicket with Jerlani Robinson (17) and a further 43 with Polius. All told, he faced 134 balls and counted two fours, in an innings spanning just over 3-1/2 hours before Reifer bowled him at 127 for eight.
Shillingford, who whacked two sixes and a four off 32 balls, ensured the tail wagged as he added a precious 30 for the last wicket with Matthew, who was 12 not out.
In one final twist, off-spinner Shillingford (2-26) combined with seamer Kyle Mayers (2-13) to stun the Jaguars top order before Johnson restored order.
