Scorpions start solidly, Hurricanes on top, Volcanoes fight back

ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC):

DEFENDING CHAMPIONS Guyana Harpy Eagles have found themselves on the backfoot against the Leeward Islands Hurricanes, while the Windward Islands Volcanoes staged a late fightback against Barbados Pride on the opening day of action in their crucial sixth-round matches in the West Indies Championship yesterday.

In the meantime, at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, the Jamaica Scorpions had a strong first day against the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force, racking up 274-6 on the back of half-centuries from Jermaine Blackwood, who is on 61, and a big partnership between Javelle Glenn (99 not out) and Abhijai Mansingh (51 not out).

At Warner Park in St Kitts, the Hurricanes dismissed the table leaders for a paltry 193 and finished the day 50 runs adrift on 143 for four, and will be favourites to grab a healthy first-innings lead.

At the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in St Lucia, the Volcanoes struck in the evening session to reduce the Pride to 94 for five after they were bundled out for 186.

Elsewhere, the Combined Campuses and Colleges and the West Indies Academy shared honours at the close of play.

The Hurricanes used a strong bowling effort to put themselves in a strong position against the Guyana Harpy Eagles.

Captain Rahkeem Cornwall led the way with a three-wicket haul, while Hayden Walsh Jr, Justin Greaves, and Oshane Thomas all took two wickets to limit the Harpy Eagles to 193.

At the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, The Pride were in control of their contest against the Windward Islands Volcanoes but lost two late wickets to concede their advantage.

Despite a battling ninth first class century from Sunil Ambris, the Pride produced a disciplined bowling performance to rout the home side for just 186.

Ambris was the backbone of the home side’s innings, scoring 110 from 116 balls with 13 fours and one six, but he got little support from the other batters.

Matthew Forde (2-19), Raymond Simmonds (2-32), Jomel Warrican (2-45), and Dominic Drakes (2-48) shared the burden of the Volcanoes’ destruction.

The Pride endured a rocky start in their reply, with Keon Gaston accounting for captain Kraigg Brathwaite for just one and Kevin Wickham for 12, while Jonathan Drakes fell to Ryan John for six to leave them stumbling on 23 for three.

Opener Shayne Moseley and Kyle Mayers steadied the innings in a 57-run stand to help the Pride recover to 80 for three.

But in the final minutes of play, pacer Tyson removed Moseley for 22 and Leniko Boucher for a duck without another run being added, as the Pride ended the day on 80 for five, still 92 runs behind on first innings.

Gatson has so far taken 2-22, while Tyson finished with 2-23.