JAMAICA secured first-inning honours against the England Lions heading into the fourth and final day of their WICB Regional Four-Day Tournament at Sabina Park yesterday, but the Lions have a lead of 131 runs batting a second time.

Jamaica resuming on their overnight 259-4, were dismissed for 376 for a lead of only 18 runs, but the Lions fought back swiftly, racing to 149-3 in their hunt for quick runs and an unlikely victory on today’s final day.

Starting the third day needing 99 runs for first-inning honours, Jamaica seemed to be cruising to their target until they lost a couple of quick wickets.

It took a massive hit from young fast bowler Jason Dawes, who clouted Danny Briggs over midwicket for six following two maiden overs, to settle the nerves of the Jamaicans as they reached 361-8.

Scores at the close of day three: England Lions 358 (Chris Woakes 115, Ben Stokes 63, James Taylor 41, James Hildreth 40; Sheldon Cottrell 3-80, Danza Hyatt 2-46) and 149-3 (Andrew Gale 47); Jamaica 376 (Simon Jackson 60, Danza Hyatt 59, Marlon Samuels 58, Brendan Nash 65, Wavell Hinds 40, Chadwick Walton 42, Danny Briggs 5-121).

Jamaica resumed on their overnight score of 259-4 with Brendan Nash and Wavell Hinds on 56 and five, respectively.

The pair brought up the 300 in 382 minutes from 94.2 overs and appeared well on their way.

But with the innings sailing smoothly, skipper James Hildreth brought back his trump card, leading wicket-taker Danny Briggs, to break the partnership, and that he did.

The tall left-arm spinner was greeted by a straight six over his head by Hinds, but he was to have the last laugh by dismissing both batsmen in the same over.

Briggs first had Nash caught for 65, then had Hinds caught behind for 40 under controversial circumstances, with Hinds indicating that he did not play the ball.

With the score at 310-6, it brought together two new batsmen in Chadrick Walton and Akeem Dewar, with 49 runs to gain first-innings points.

The pair took Jamaica safely to lunch at 325-6 with wicketkeeper Walton on 14 and Dewar on two.

Both batsmen played sensibly, something rarely seen at the higher level in West Indies cricket, and brought Jamaica within 10 runs of the Lions’ score before Dewar departed at 349 for a painstaking two runs in 78 minutes in a valuable 39-run partnership.

Briggs then captured his fifth wicket when he caught and bowled Walton for a well-played 42 with Jamaica only four runs away from the lead at 355-8.

Things got tense following two maidens overs to new batsmen Bevon Brown and Jason Dawes. But with the pressure building, the young pacebowler Dawes slammed Briggs for a six to take Jamaica to 361-8 and first-innings honours.

With that in the bag, the Jamaicans came out of their shackles with a couple of boundaries before being all out for 376.

Briggs, who plays for English County side Hampshire, finished with 5-121 and took his tally for the tournament to 30, while Nathan Buck grabbed 3-77.

The English development team, batting a second time, started their reply a little after 2:00 pm.

Dawes struck early and had opener Adam Lyth caught by Dewar at square leg for one at 11-1 as the Lions went to tea at 22-1.

But with the Englishmen behind on first innings, they went for quick runs and brought up their 100 in 94 minutes from 25.2 overs with Andrew Gale and Jimmy Adams going well.

However, Brown removed both, bowling Gale for 57 and trapping Adams lbw for 38 at 130-3, a lead of 112.

The Lions finished the day on 149-3 with their two leading batsmen at the crease in captain Hildreth on 16 and young James Taylor on 10.

Brown has so far taken 2-39 and Dawes, 1-23.