Jamaica Scorpions hold a lead of 54 runs with nine second-innings wickets in hand at the half-way stage of the fascinating Digicel Regional four-day clash versus Guyana Jaguars at Sabina Park.

The Scorpions were 61-1, batting a second time, at close of play on yesterday’s second day after bowling out the Jaguars for a first-innings score of 262.

Half-centuries from attacking left-hander Shimron Hetmyer and the father and son duo of Shivnarine and Tagenarine Chanderpaul powered the Jaguars’ reply under brilliant sunshine at the venue. Left-arm finger spinner Nikita Miller, the captain of the Scorpions, took four wickets in a marathon display.

On Friday’s opening day, the Scorpions were dismissed for 255.

Scores: Scorpions 255 (70.3 overs) & 61-1 (16 overs); Jaguars 262 (88.3 overs).

The not out batsmen to resume at today’s scheduled 10:00 am start are Jermaine Blackwood, who is on 25, and first-innings century-maker Chadwick Walton, on nine.

Yesterday, Guyana Jaguars resumed on 69 without loss and the left-handed opening pair of Hetmyer and the younger Chanderpaul — both 20 years old — stretched their partnership to 104 runs before the former was sent back.

But the ex-West Indies Under-19 captain left his mark with several stylish and even dismissive shots in the morning session on a pitch that remains even-paced and good for batting.

While riding his luck on a few occasions, he played a couple of punishing drives to veteran fast bowler Jerome Taylor.

The battle between Miller, the wily 34-year-old bowler, and Hetmyer, the young maverick who refused to be bogged down, was another point of interest for the handful of spectators on hand.

It was Miller who got the upper hand, luring Hetmyer into a drive against the spin. The ball hit the outer half of the bat and spooned to Jacobs running to his right at mid-off. He hit 74 off 79 balls, including 10 fours and a six.

Miller soon had Jaguars captain Leon Johnson (one), another left-hander, caught behind by wicketkeeper Walton.

It was 128-3 when Vishaul Singh tried for a quick single, but was sent packing by a razor-sharp pick-up and throw from Derval Green that shattered the stumps.

The 42-year-old Chanderpaul, when on seven, should have been the fourth wicket to fall not long after. However, Blackwood, at first slip, floored an easy chance that went straight into his lap and back out, mere minutes before lunch with the score on 143.

It was crafty bowling from Miller, who beat the West Indies batting great with one that held its line after pitching.

After the break, Tagenarine, was not so lucky as his defensive shot to the irrepressible Miller produced the edge and Blackwood made no mistake this time.

The young left-hand batsman made 58 off 135 balls and fell short of his highest first-class score of 81 — achieved against the Scorpions here in Kingston in December 2015.

Raymon Reifer then joined Shivnarine and the pair added 63 runs for the fifth wicket. But when Reifer was dismissed by part-time off-spinner Andre McCarthy for 28 it triggered a collapse from a strong position at 219-4. Ironically the Scorpions had a similar downward spiral on Friday, losing six wickets for 43 runs.

But while pace bowlers took almost all the wickets for the Jaguars it was the spinners who did the trick for the Scorpions in absolutely gripping post-lunch action yesterday.

Chanderpaul, making his 136th first-class half-century, was among those to fall when he was given out leg before wicket attempting a sweep against wrist spinner Damion Jacobs.

When the dust settled on the Jaguars innings, Miller had figures of 4-69 off 34 overs, while McCarthy snared 3-18 off eight.

With a mere seven-run deficit, the Scorpions openers Walton and left-hander John Campbell (26) took the score to 30 before the latter feathered a catch to Jaguars wicketkeeper Anthony Bramble off the bowling of seamer Romario Shepherd. Blackwood and Walton then took the Scorpions to the close without further loss.