By Rajiv Bisnauth

THE Leeward Islands Hurricanes clinched a dramatic two-wicket victory on the final day of the fifth round in the West Indies Four-day championship encounter against the Guyana Jaguars at the National Stadium, Providence.

Something special was always going to be needed if the Hurricanes were to threaten the winning target of 291, and indeed it came from a composed 127 from Montcin Hodge, a polished half-century from Keacy Carty and a fighting unbeaten 37 from Jaison Peters. They eventually ended on 296-8.

Yesterday’s result is the third time the Hurricanes have beaten the four-time defending champions in PCL history. The loss is the first for the Jaguars in five games this season.

The 31-year-old Hodge was the man to have darkened Jaguars’ hopes and he was clearly the inspiration for the hard-fought victory. Resolute in defence and untroubled by either the pitch or bowlers, Hodge en route to a superb knock, his fourth first-class hundred, ensured the game concluded in the Hurricanes’ favour.

It was a classy, fighting innings that saw Hodge shared two significant partnerships – 153 with Carty for the second wicket and then 59 runs for the fifth wicket with Jaison Peters and by the time he was dismissed, the Hurricanes were nine runs short of the winning target. His innings spanned 320 balls in 417 minutes with 14 fours.

The odd drizzle and threatening rain clouds for most of the day were not the only two things to have increased the anxiety for the home side. There were some ragged fielding, coupled by a less convincing bowling display and while Captain Leon Johnson was trying not to betray any nerves, the Jaguars’ frustrations were plain to see.

The touring side began the day in pursuit of 259 more runs for a win, with Jaguars searching for the nine wickets. However, Hodge and Carty gave the visiting side the ideal start, batting through the first session.

Resuming on 32-1, the right-handed duo frustrated the Jaguars’ attack with some solid batting, and build on their overnight score respectively with a combination of solid defence together with some attacking strokeplay.

Hodge was the first to reach his half-century off 96 balls with seven boundaries while Carty, the 21-year-old, took 138 balls for his, counting eight boundaries. He was, however, dropped on 58 by Johnson at short extra cover, and by lunch, the total was 151 for one.

Inevitably though, it was fast bowler Keemo Paul (2-69) who got the breakthrough within the first hour of play after the interval when he had Carty caught behind to end an innings which spanned 193 balls, 226 minutes with nine boundaries.

Left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul, who finished with figures of 4-43, then trapped Akeem Saunders leg before wicket for nine, but while the Jaguars’ restricted the scoring significantly during the session, the 31-year-old Hodge continued unruffled throughout to remain unbeaten on 94 in the company of Terrance Warde.

After the first break, Hodge moved to his second hundred this season from 285 balls to keep his team edging towards the total.

Romario Shepherd (2-45) returned and removed Warde for 25 to a running catch from the substitute, Gudakesh Motie at point and then bowled Rakheem Cornwall (1) to change the complexion of the match somewhat.

But Hodge and Peters then combined to defy their hosts and with 51 runs needed in the final hour of play, the duo took the score to 282 before Permaul removed Hodge, Orlando Peters and Jeremiah Louis.

However, Peters had no trouble in achieving the target despite delaying tactics from the home team. The Jaguars will be in action again from January 31 when they play host Trinidad and Tobago Red Force.

SCOREBOARD
Leeward Islands Hurricanes 2nd innings (Target 291)

K Powell lbw b Paul 7

M Hodge c&b Permaul 127

K Carty c wk Bramble b Paul 67

A Saunders lbw b Permaul 9

T Warde c (sub) Motie b Shepherd 25

R Cornwall b Shepherd 1

J Peters not out 37

O Peters b Permaul 0

J Louis c Paul b Permaul 4

D Jacobs not out 0

Extras: (5-b, 3-lb, 5-w, 6-nb) 19

Total: (for eight wickets; 108.3 overs) 296

Fall of wicket: 1-16, 2-169, 3-180, 4-222, 5-223, 6-282, 7-286, 8-290

Bowling: Pestano 10-2-42-0, Paul 16-3-69-2, Shepherd 17-6-45-2, Bishoo 25.3-5-64-0, Permaul 34-13-43-4, Rutherford 4-0-13-0, Barnwell 2-0-12-0