GUYANA Harpy Eagles might be marginally ahead, providing they have a solid first hour this morning as the Windwards Volcanoes lead by 169 runs after day three of their Regional Four-Day match at Queen’s Park Oval, Trinidad.

Scores Volcanoes 339 (Preston McSween 86, Alick Athanaze 68, Devon Smith 52; Gudakesh Motie 4-62, Keemo Paul 3-83, Veerasammy Permaul 3-88) and 157-7 (Athanaze 58, Larry Edwards 29*; Clinton Pestano 2-29, Paul 2-30, Permaul 2-41) v Eagles 327 (Vishaul Singh 93, Paul 73, Tagenarine Chanderpaul 30; Kenneth Dember 4-36, Shermon Lewis 4-59, McSween 2-78)
At stumps, Larry Edwards 29 not out and Kenneth Dember (4 not out) are the ones who have so far added 25, in another frustrating lower-order stand for Eagles.

Securing a lead of 12, Volcanoes’ second innings got off to a shaky start as Nial Smith bowled the experienced Devon Smith for a duck. Wickets fell at various intervals but young talent Alick Athanaze made his second half-century in the match with a fluent 58.

However, apart from Edwards none of his teammates offered substantial resistance this innings.

Clinton Pestano has been the pick of the bowlers with 2-29, well supported by Keemo Paul 2-30 and Veerasammy Permaul 2-41.
Earlier, Eagles resumed on 181-5, with both Paul and Vishaul Singh yet to reach any landmark, and while both offered some chances, which were not taken by Volcanoes, they made the most to produce crucial fifties.

Both players had the writings on the wall for a triple-figure score; Singh fell for 93 after facing 221 balls and striking nine fours. He made his 19th First-Class half-century but it could have been his ninth ton at this level.

Paul was dismissed for 73 (6×4; 1×6) from 133 balls in sedate and responsible innings. Off-spinner Dember took 4-36 while Test pacer Lewis captured 4-59.