(CMC) – Defending champions Guyana Harpy Eagles made a strong push for victory against hosts Jamaica Scorpions at Sabina Park in the Jamaica capital of Kingston in the West Indies Championship on Friday.

The Scorpions, chasing 419 to win, reached 123 for two in their second innings at the close, with West Indies left-hander Kirk McKenzie not out on 39, and his captain, West Indies white-ball batsman Brandon King not out on 13, holding the reins to the outcome of the contest.

Harpy Eagles had earlier dismissed the Scorpions for 153 to gain a 271-run, first innings lead, but they decided to bat a second time.

Led by 44 from their captain, West Indies Test selectee and first innings century-maker Tevin Imlach, and 36 not out from West Indies Test off-spinner Kevin Sinclair, they reached 147 for four before they declared about 45 minutes before the scheduled tea break.

Scorpions went to tea on 23 without loss, but Sinclair got rookie opener Carlos Brown caught behind for 10 in the third over after the break, and left-arm spin bowling stalwart Veerasammy Permaul got newcomer Javaughan Buchanan caught at second slip for 39 in the first over after the final drinks break of the day.

West Indies white-ball batsman Keacy Carty indulged his love affair for Barbados Pride, bowling with his third first-class hundred, but front-runners Leeward Islands Hurricanes were facing a battle for survival after they were forced to follow on in Trinidad.

Carty struck 12 fours in a top score of 127 from 232 balls in a little more than 4-1/2 hours, and was a pillar of strength in the Hurricanes batting before they were bowled out for 288, replying to the Pride first innings total of 542 for nine declared, on the stroke of tea on the third day of their sixth-round match at Queen’s Park Oval in the Trinidad capital, of Port of Spain.

West Indies Under-19 wicketkeeper-batsman Jewel Andrew supported with 53, and opener Mikyle Louis, the most prolific batsman this season, made 52, but the Hurricanes batting was undermined by clubmates, Roston Chase and Shaquille Cumberbatch.

Chase, the West Indies batting all-rounder, grabbed three for 47 from 14.2 overs with his off-spin, and rookie pacer Cumberbatch bagged three for 48 from 15 overs, while discarded West Indies left-handed all-rounder Raymond Reifer snared two wickets.

There were two prolonged periods of resistance from the Hurricanes when Carty completed a second-wicket stand of 170 with Louis after their side started the day on 97 for one, and he put on 67 with Andrew for the fourth wicket before being caught behind off Cumberbatch inside the first hour after lunch.

Trailing by 254, the Hurricanes got off to a strong start and reached 98 for one after long-serving left-handed opener Kieran Powell was caught at slip off the uncomplicated leg-spin of former West Indies Under-19 batsman Kevin Wickham for 52 to the final ball of the day; Louis was not out on 45 when stumps were drawn.

ELSEWHERE
Trinidad & Tobago Red Force were also scenting victory after a destructive spell from Test pacer Anderson Phillip propelled them to a 353-run, first innings lead against hosts Combined Campuses & Colleges Marooners.

Phillip grabbed five for 71 from 22 overs, and the Marooners were bowled out for 238, replying the Red Force first innings total of 591 for seven declared, about an hour after lunch at Frank Worrell Field on the St. Augustine campus of the University of the West Indies in Trinidad.

Hometown boy Yannick Ottley defied Phillip and the rest of the Red Force attack to hit the top score of 56 after the composite side continued from their overnight total of 109 for five,
First innings century-makers, Jason Mohammed, not out on 41, and left-hander Amir Jangoo, not out on 34, then anchored Red Force to 95 for two, before the declaration came about 50 minutes after the schedule tea break.

Set 449 to win, the Marooners were 67 for one in their second innings when stumps were drawn with opener Damel Evelyn not out on 43, and teenaged leg-spin all-rounder Zishan Motara not out on nought.

Kjorn Ottley, bowling his uncomplicated medium pace, got the late wicket of compatriot Kamil Pooran, brother of West Indies left-hander Nicholas Pooran, caught behind for 18.