PROVIDENCE, Guyana (CMC) — A cluster of wickets in the final session brought Barbados Pride back into their key contest with current leaders and reigning three-time champions Guyana Jaguars, following half-centuries from openers Chanderpaul Hemraj and Tagenarine Chanderpaul in the Regional Four-Day championship yesterday.

Hemraj had so far led the way with 79 and Chanderpaul fell for 52, as the Jaguars reached 180 for four in replying to Pride’s first-innings total of 294 at close on the rain-hit second day of their fifth-round match at the Guyana National Stadium.

The opening pair shared 117 for the first wicket and appeared to have put the Jaguars firmly in control of the match, but the Pride steadily chipped away at the Jaguars batting either side of tea to leave things hanging in the balance when stumps were drawn with Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Tagenarine’s dad, not out on 15 and Gudakesh Motie not out on three.

This followed a start delayed until after the scheduled lunch interval, due to wet conditions caused by rain, and all-rounder Keemo Paul helping to bring a swift conclusion to the Barbados innings, with Justin Greaves failing to add to his overnight 72 and token resistance from the tail.

Paul, the former West Indies Under-19 World Cup-winning star, ended with 5-59 from 16.3 overs to be the most successful Jaguars bowler, and West Indies ‘A’ Team fast bowler Keon Joseph finished with 3-69 from 20 overs.