GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC) — Left-hander Vishaul Singh was closing in on his third century of the season as he hauled leaders Guyana Jaguars out of trouble against Trinidad and Tobago Red Force on the rain-hit opening day of their sixth-round clash in the Regional First Class championship yesterday.

Fast bowler Marlon Richards and seamer Rayad Emrit combined to wipe out the top order and leave the hosts tottering on 85 for six after lunch, but Vishaul held firm with an unbeaten 88 to steer Jaguars to 204 for seven at the close at the National Stadium at Providence.

Vishaul got support from tail-ender Veerasammy Permaul who struck an important 47, while captain Leon Johnson chipped in with 23.

Richards was outstanding with three for 31, while Emrit picked up two for 41.

Opting to bat first, Jaguars would have been regretting their decision when they slumped to 18 for two in the ninth over, with Emrit accounting for both openers.

In the day’s seventh over, he bowled Test batsman Rajindra Chandrika for three and in his next over, also bowled Tagenarine Chanderpaul for 15.

Johnson then put on 29 for the third wicket with Assad Fudadin (18) and a further 26 for the fourth wicket with Vishaul, to offer some resistance.

Richards got the breakthrough when Fudadin played back and was bowled at 47 for three leaving Jaguars to stumble to lunch without any addition.

Following the break, Johnson was run out chancing an ill-advised run to mid-on before Anthony Bramble (1) and Raymon Reifer (1) both fell cheaply to leave the innings in trouble.

Vishaul came to its rescue, carving out 12 fours in a knock so far lasting 159 deliveries. He added a vital 113 for the seventh wicket with Permaul who hit five fours off 94 deliveries.

The pair took Jaguars to tea on 126 for six and extended their resistance afterward for over an hour before Permaul finally surrendered, caught at the wicket to give Richards his third scalp of the day.