Jaguars stretch lead but mid-table race remains close

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC) – Three-time reigning champions Guyana Jaguars have opened up a significant lead at the top of the Regional Four-Day Championship, as the first class competition nears the half-way stage.
Their massive innings victory over previously unbeaten Trinidad and Tobago Red Force at the Brian Lara Stadium on Sunday, lifted them to 64.8 points – just over 20 clear of the now second-placed Leeward Islands Hurricanes on 44.6.
The result was the Jaguars’ third win in four outings this season and they are now the only unbeaten side in the championship after the fourth round.
They were lifted by the return to form of inspirational captain Leon Johnson who stroked 165 and West Indies A star Vishaul Singh who carved out his second century in three matches.
Hurricanes, unbeaten at the start of the round, suffered a heavy defeat at Warner Park in St. Kitts when they went down by 157 runs to the previously win-less Jamaica Scorpions.
Though moving up to second, they are just two points clear of Barbados Pride who also claimed
their maiden win of the
new season when they crushed Windward Islands Volcanoes by 135 runs at Arnos Vale.
Pride, on 42.4 points, have also overhauled Red Force who now lie fourth on 41.8 points.
Scorpions are fifth on 36.6 while winless Volcanoes continue to occupy the bottom on 18.4.
The tournament will take a near two-week break and restart with the fifth round on November 30 when Jaguars hosts Pride in Georgetown, Scorpions welcome Vocanoes to Kingston and Hurricanes take on Red Force at Warner Park.