Leeward Islands Hurricanes batted the entire days ending on 255 for seven for a a 68 runs first innings lead over the Guyana Jaguars at the Guyana National Stadium, Providence in the Digicel/West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) Regional Four – Day championships yesterday.
The Hurricanes batsmen, who showed very good application, scored 193 runs yesterday with openers Moncin Hodge 70 and Jacques Taylor 60 not-out scoring half centuries.
Guyana Jaguars Raymond Reifer grabbed four for 47.
When play resumed yesterday, Hurricanes, 62 -0, added 17 runs before Chesney Hughes was removed for 40 with the score on 79 when he edged a Clinton Pestano delivery down the leg side to be taken by wicket-keeper Anthony Bramble.
That, however, was the last bit of success for the Guyanese bowlers during the morning session as Hodge, who bided his time and waited for the loose deliveries, along with Keacy Carty, took their side to 110 for one at lunch. Hodge remained unbeaten on 59 from 192 deliveries while Carty sat on nine.
Guyana came out firing after the break, snaring five quick wickets for 30 runs to add life to an otherwise passive and dreary encounter to leave the score on 140 for 6. Their efforts, however, were halted by a 71 run seven-wicket partnership between Jahmar Hamilton and Jacques Taylor who carried the Islanders to 187 for 6 at tea. The five wicket run started when left arm- seamer Reifer removed Carty (10) and Hodge (70) caught by Leon Johnson in the slip-cordon in a patient innings which lasted 224 deliveries while being decorated with 12 elegant fours. Jaguars were soon celebrating again when Akeem Sunders (4) flicked the dependable Reifer to mid-wicket while off- spinner Steven Jacobs got into the act by bowling the dangerous Rahkeem Cornwall (00) while also removing Sherwin Peter (5) to leave the Islanders in a bit of trouble before Hamilton and Jacques took charge. It was Reifer again at the beginning of the final session who broke the partnership by removing Hamilton who was caught behind for 37 with the score on 211 for 7. Leewards now had a slim lead of 24 and pushed it further with another vital partnership between Jacques who found another ally in Jeremiah Louis as the two added 44 runs in an unbroken eight-wicket partnership to end the day on 255 for seven from 117 overs. Jacques and Louis who frustrated the Guyanese late in the day ended on 60 and 20 respectively.
Reifer who has so far taken four for 47 did his chances of breaking into the West Indies set-up the world of good 
by hitting good areas throughout the day in a number of nagging spells.
Meanwhile, Pestano and Keemo Paul bowled with pace and energy on the day which saw left- arm spinner Anthony Adams failing to collect his maiden first-class wicket. Play resumes today at 10:00 with the home side hoping to dislodge the visitors in quick time give their batsmen one final hit-out this season.
