GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC) — Veteran left-hander Shiv Chanderpaul narrowly missed out on his 72nd first class hundred as two-time reigning champions Guyana Jaguars made a steady, if unspectacular start to their title defence on the opening day of their first round of matches in the Regional Four-Day Championship here yesteray.

Jaguars, winning the toss and batting at the Guyana National Stadium, were 279 for seven at the close against Jamaica Scorpions.

Chanderpaul perished in the penultimate over of the day for 91, while Test batsman Rajendra Chandrika chimed in with an attractive 86, and all-rounder Raymon Reifer, a breezy 40.

Captain and left-arm spinner Nikita Miller picked up three for 64, while seamer Derval Green claimed two for 61.

The innings was built primarily around Chandrika’s and Chanderpaul’s half-centuries as Jaguars made good progress without really dominating.

They lost West Indies Under-19 Captain Shimron Hetmyer for five in the day’s fourth over with the score on 13, bowled by speedster Marquino Mindley for five.

However, Chandrika then spearheaded a 98-run, second-wicket stand with Captain Leon Johnson (19) to repair the innings.

Chandrika faced 141 balls in just under three hours at the crease and counted 12 fours and a six, while Johnson’s knock was a painstaking one, requiring 95 balls and 2 1/4 hours.

When he and Chandrika fell in the space of 14 runs to leave Jaguars on 125 for three, Chanderpaul stepped up to anchor a series of partnerships to ensure Jaguars remained in control.

The 42-year-old put on 40 for the fourth wicket with West Indies A batsman Vishaul Singh (16), 68 for the fifth wicket with Reifer, and a further 45 for the seventh wicket with Veerasammy Permaul (eight not out).

All told, Chanderpaul faced 140 balls in 3 1/2 hours at the crease and counted 10 fours.

He seemed set for triple figures when he edged the fourth delivery of the penultimate over from Miller to Jermaine Blackwood at first slip.

Scoreboard

JAGUARS 1st Innings

R Chandrika c wkp Walton b Miller 86

S Hetmyer b Mindley 5

L Johnson b Green 19

V Singh c (sub) King b Jacobs 16

S Chanderpaul c Blackwood b Miller 91

R Reifer lbw b Green 40

+A Bramble b Miller 0

V Permaul not out 8

E Hooper 0

Extras (b5, lb2, nb7) 14

TOTAL (7 wkts, 94 overs) 279

To bat: G Motie, K Joseph

Fall of wickets: 1-13, 2-111, 3-125, 4-165, 5-233, 6-234, 7-279

Bowling: Dawes 10-1-37-0, Mindley 8-4-21-1, Miller 34-10-64-3, Green 17-1-61-2, Jacobs 18-5-69-1, Campbell 7-2-20-0

SCORPIONS – *N Miller, J Campbell, T Griffith, J Blackwood, A McCarthy, +C Walton, D Thomas, D Jacobs, J Dawes, M Mindley, D Green

Toss: Jaguars

Umpires: Nigel Duguid, Jonathan Blades