Jaguars devour Scorpions in WICB First-Class Championship

Jamaica Scorpions, on the back of another shallow batting display, were yesterday defeated by 117 runs on the final day of their top-of-the-table WICB First-Class Championship clash against leaders and title-holders Guyana Jaguars at Sabina Park.

Starting the day on 83 for three and needing another 244 runs to win, Jamaica were blown away for 208 midway the post-lunch session.

Leading the Guyana bowling charge was outstanding 19-year-old left-arm spinner, Gudakesh Motie, who claimed six for 33 to take his tournament-leading tally to 34 wickets.

The lanky Motie, playing in his debut first-class season and fifth match overall, last year represented West Indies Under-19s at the ICC Youth World Cup.

"It was a disappointing performance, particularly as it relates to our batting," bemoaned Scorpions captain, Paul Palmer Jr.

"Our bowlers did well, especially in the first innings, but our batsmen did not back them up."

He added: "It is now a setback for us as Guyana have moved further ahead in the standings. But it is still midway the season and we still have time, so hopefully we can catch up with them."

Jamaica now have three wins and two defeats and lie third in the standings on 53 points.

Guyana, unbeaten after five matches, extended their tally to 85, while Barbados Pride, who defeated Leeward Island Hurricanes by 10 wickets, are second on 63 points.

The tournament, being played on a home-and-away basis over 10 rounds, will take a break to facilitate the holiday season, as well as the NAGICO Super50 regional one-day tournament, which bowls off in January.

Volcanoes, Red Force draw

AT THE BEAUSEJOUR CRICKET STADIUM: Windward Islands Volcanoes drew with Trinidad and Tobago Red Force on the final day of their fifth round game here yesterday.

Scores: VOLCANOES 306 (Shane Shillingford 64, AndrÈ Fletcher 63, Mervyn Mathew 48 not out, Devon Smith 32, Liam Sebastien 30; Imran Khan 3-100, Narsingh Deonarine 2-29, Uthman Mohammed 2-51) & 198 for seven (Devon Smith 56, Shane Shillingford 34, AndrÈ Fletcher 29). RED FORCE 382 (Yannick Ottley 99 not out, Yannic Cariah 70, Narsingh Deonarine 60, Marlon Richards 60; Kevin McClean 4-66, Shane Shillingford 3-109).