Jamaica Scorpions and Leeward Islands Hurricanes will square off in today’s start of seventh-round action in the Digicel Regional Four-day Competition with both teams hungry for points after disappointing losses in their previous encounters.

The day/night contest, which will be the first to be hosted by Jamaica in first-class cricket, is scheduled for 3:00 pm at Sabina Park.

The Scorpions, whose only two defeats this season came at the hands of champions and current leaders Guyana Jaguars, will be seeking to exploit the weaknesses of today’s opponents to resume winning ways.

The Nikita Miller-led Scorpions slipped to second position on 73 points following their latest seven-wicket loss to the Jaguars, who now head the standings with 84.8 points.

Meanwhile, the Hurricanes fell to an innings and 26-run defeat at home to third-placed Barbados (68 points) on last. They occupy last spot on the six-team standing with 44 points.

Trinidad & Tobago Red Force (53.6 points) and fifth-placed Windward Islands Volcanoes (47.2) complete the points table.

In their previous match earlier this season, the Scorpions registered an innings and 73-run win over the Hurricanes after piling up a massive 550-7 declared.

One player with fond memories of that fixture is leg spinner Damion Jacobs, who grabbed five-wicket hauls in both innings to end with match figures of 10-167 from 55 overs.

He expressed optimism of repeating the feat at home.

“This game is very important and the loss against Jaguars set us back and we are just about five points ahead of Barbados. So this game is very significant in our title bid and the team is very keen on putting in a good performance because we have to try and make amends in this game,” Jacobs told the Jamaica Observer yesterday.

“The last time I played against this team I got 10 wickets, but they possess good-quality batsmen, so on the day we just have to get the ball in the right areas and hope to get the job done. Personally, for me, I would love to repeat that performance to put in a good showing towards the back end of the tournament,” he added.

— Sherdon Cowan