GUYANA Jaguars strengthened their lead at the top of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) four-day Professional Cricket League (PCL) points table with a six-wicket victory over the Windward Islands Vulcanoes at the Beausejour Cricket Ground, St Lucia yesterday.Set a modest 40 for victory, after the Vulcanoes were dismissed for 161 in their second innings, the Jaguars overcame some early jitters, losing the wickets openers Tajenarine Chanderpaul (one) and Rajendra Chandrika (three) while Assad Fudadin and wicket-keeper Anthony Bramble were sent packing for nine and nought respectively.
Skipper Leon Johnson, who stroked a fine 107 in the first innings and the consistent Vishaul Singh avoided any further alarms, ending on 17 and nine respectively when victory was achieved with a day to spare. Yesterday’s victory against the Volcanoes has now taken the Jaguars to 125 points.
Final scores in the match were: Windward Islands Volcanoes 216 and 161; Guyana 338 and 40 for four.
The Guyana Jaguars, resuming on their overnight 310 for seven and already with a first innings lead of 94, added a further 28 runs before they were dismissed for 338, extending their overall lead to 124.
Batting a second time, the Volcanoes were undone by the bowling of left-arm fast medium bowler Raymond Reifer who finished with four for 35 while leg-spinner Davendra Bishoo claimed three for 71 and fast bowler Ronsford Beaton two for 28 to end with match figures of seven for 71.
Opener Devon Smith was again among the runs, hitting a top-score of 51, to follow on his first innings 87.