PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) — Veteran all-rounder Chris Barnwell struck his second-straight half-century as Guyana Jaguars stayed in contention for a semi-final spot with a four-wicket victory over struggling Windward Islands Volcanoes here Friday.

In pursuit of a challenging 259 in a contest reduced to 42 overs per side at Queen’s Park Oval, the Jaguars reached their target with four balls to spare, with Barnwell hammering 89 off 84 deliveries.

West Indies all-rounder Raymon Reifer struck 45 from 49 balls, while opener Chandrapaul Hemraj gathered 40 from 42 balls and Captain Leon Johnson, a breezy 34 off 33 balls.

Another veteran had earlier taken centre stage, left-hander Devon Smith top-scoring with an up tempo 93 off 94 deliveries as Volcanoes put together a strong effort to reach 258 for five.

Emmanuel Stewart chipped in with 51 from 52 balls, while Keron Cottoy extended his good form with a 28-ball unbeaten 45.

With the win – their third in four games – Jaguars moved to 12 points, joining West Indies Emerging Players and hosts Trinidad and Tobago Red Force on the same number of points.

However, Emerging Players top the charts courtesy of net run rate with Red Force lying second.

Sent in, Volcanoes received their early impetus from Smith, who stroked 10 fours and a six as he put on 36 off 32 balls with Desron Maloney (17) for the first wicket before adding 73 for the second wicket with Kavem Hodge, who made 24.

When Hodge and Captain Kirk Edwards (0) perished in the space of seven balls, Volcanoes were 110 for three at the end of the 22nd over but Smith inspired another half-century stand when he helped post 77 for the fourth wicket with Stewart.

Smith was eventually fourth out in the 34th over, becoming the second of left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul’s two wickets but Cottoy arrived to play a blinder, smashing a four and four sixes as he added quickfire 60 off 32 balls in an unbroken fifth wicket partnership with Shane Shillingford (16 not out).

The Jaguars’ run chase received an early blow when Kemol Savory fell cheaply for four in the fourth over with eight runs scored but Barnwell masterminded three successive half-century stands to turn the tables on Volcanoes.

The 32-year-old, who punched half-dozen fours and three sixes, put on 75 for the second with Hemraj, 53 for the third with Johnson and a further 65 for the fourth with Reifer.

By the time he departed in the 34th over, Jaguars still needed 58 runs from 42 balls but Reifer belted two fours and sixes in a 35-run, fifth-wicket stand off 30 balls with Jonathan Foo (17 not out) to formalise the win.

With the knock, Barnwell pushed his aggregate for the tournament up to 229 runs at an average of 57.