Hurricanes on top against Harpy Eagles

ST JOHN'S, Antigua:

Defending champions Guyana Harpy Eagles have found themselves on the backfoot against the Leeward Islands Hurricanes, while the Windward Islands Volcanoes staged a late fightback against Barbados Pride on the opening day of action in their crucial sixth round matches in the West Indies Championship yesterday.

The Hurricanes dismissed the table leaders for a paltry 193 and finished the day 50 runs adrift on 143 for four, and will be favourites to grab first innings lead.

Meanwhile, the Volcanoes struck in the evening session to reduce the Pride to 94 for five, after they were bundled out for 186.

Elsewhere, the Combined Campuses and Colleges (CCC) and the West Indies Academy shared honours at the close of play.

AT WARNER PARK

The Leeward Islands Hurricanes used a strong bowling effort to put themselves in a strong position against the Guyana Harpy Eagles.

Captain Rahkeem Cornwall led the way with a three-wicket haul, while Hayden Walsh Jr, Justin Greaves and Oshane Thomas all took two wickets to limit the Harpy Eagles to 193.

Cornwall led the way with 3-25, while Walsh Jr (2-26,) Greaves (2-30) and Thomas (2-48), lent good support.

Kevlon Anderson batted through the innings, scoring an unbeaten 77 from 96 balls, and the Harpy Eagles needed some useful contributions from their lower order to get up to their eventual total after they found themselves at 69 for five at one point.

AMBRIS CENTURY

At the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium: The Barbados Pride were in control of their contest against the Windward Islands Volcanoes, but lost two late wickets to concede their advantage.

Despite a battling ninth first class century from Sunil Ambris, the Pride produced a disciplined bowling performance to rout the home side for just 186.

Ambris was the backbone of the home side's innings, scoring 110 from 116 balls with 13 fours and one six, but he got little support from the other batters.

The Pride would actually have been disappointed the Volcanoes got to their eventual total after claiming three early wickets with just one run on the board.

Both openers Kimani Melius and Jeremy Solozano were dismissed for ducks, while captain Alick Athanaze made just one as the Volcanoes made a disastrous start.

Matthew Forde (2-19), Ramon Simmonds (2-32), Jomel Warrican (2-45) and Dominic Drakes (2-48) all took two wickets apiece.

At the Sir Frank Worrell Memorial Ground: The CCC and West Indies Academy are locked in a close battle heading into today's second day.

CCC had looked set to post a formidable total, but left-arm spinner Joshua Bishop ripped through their middle order to limit them to 238.

At the close of play, the WI Academy reached 37 for one, still 201 runs behind on first innings.

- CMC