Centuries from Tagenarine Chanderpaul and Vishaul Singh ensured Guyana Harpy Eagles head into the final day in their fourth round clash against Jamaica Scorpions with a 188-run lead.
Eagles resumed on 213 for one and progressed to the highest score by any team this season, 584 for seven, after some 157 overs in response to Scorpions’ first innings score of 393.
Chanderpaul chalked up his second hundred of the season in as many matches by converting his overnight score of 98 to 184 from 423 balls.
The left-handed opener’s highest first class score featured 27 boundaries and shared the highest partnership of the tournament with Tevin Imlach who made 79 from 198 balls as the duo added 180 runs for the second wicket.
Imlach struck nine fours and a six before deciding to come down the pitch to Alwyn Williams only to feather a simple catch to Aldane Thomas being the stumps.
Chanderpaul then shared a 94-run partnership with his captain, Leon Johnson, who did not hesitate to bring the broom with his sweeps and reverse sweeps. Johnson rocketed to 57 from 72 balls and hit eight boundaries before chipping down the wicket only to be stumped by Thomas.
But Singh ensured the tempo was kept as Guyana looked to push the scoring rate, with his ninth first class ton. His even unbeaten 100 came from 85 balls with 13 fours.
The two centurions forged a 61-run union for the fourth wicket before Chanderpaul was caught substitute fielder Kirk McKenzie off of Nicholson Gordon at mid-wicket.
Akshaya Persaud joined Singh but did not spend long however, Keemo Paul and Kevin Sinclair pushed the scoring rate higher with cameos of 17 and 36 respectively.
The partnership between Singh and Sinclair was worth 75 before Sinclair was trapped leg before wicket to Blackwood after hitting two boundaries.
Gudakesh Motie, who notched up his maiden triple figure score in the last round is currently on 12 from 15 balls with Singh.
Gordon was the pick of the bowlers with 4-122 while Jamie Merchant, Williams and Blackwood picked up one wicket each.
Meanwhile, Barbados Pride solidified their place at the top of the table and are in line to retain their championship following an innings and 22-run win over Trinidad and Tobago Red Force. Red Force were bowled out for 133 and 139 while Pride posted 294.
Akeem Jordan, Justin Greaves and Roston Chase all took three wickets after Red Force were asked to bat again. Yannic Cariah top scored with 35 not out.
In the other match of the round, Leeward Islands Hurricanes require seven wickets for victory while Windward Islands Volcanoes need a further 286 runs to win.
Hurricanes posted 333 and 252 declared with Volcanoes being bowled out for 173 and are currently on 127 for three.
Kimani Melius made 51 from 58 balls before being given leg before wicket to Devon Thomas. Rahkeem Cornwall then removed Devon Smith and Alick Athanaze cheaply, but Kaven Hodge and Ackeem Auguste are at the crease on 25 and 18 respectively.
The contest continues today from 10.00 hours.
