GUYANA JAGUARS sensationally secured a spot in Sunday’s Regional Super 50 Cricket Cup final with a thrilling one-wicket victory over Jamaica Scorpions in the first semi-final at Kensington Oval here Thursday night.
Chasing the Scorpions’ challenging total of 272 for eight in 50 overs, the determined Jaguars batted impressively to score 276 for nine in 49.5 overs and win with one ball to spare.
The victory was set up by a career-best century from captain Leon Johnson and a responsible 68 by all-rounder Raymon Reifer.
But it was the experienced Veerasammy Permaul, who struck the winning runs with a six and four in the final over.
The 31-year-old Johnson had fashioned a maiden List A century with a knock of 101 off 136 balls which contained 11 fours to stabilise his team’s innings.
Johnson and fellow left-hander Reifer, sensibly shared a fourth wicket stand of 130 runs in 27.1 overs after the Jaguars were 70 for three off 12 overs.
After Johnson fell to his opposite number, left-arm spinner Nikita Miller, who took two for 36, Guyana also lost wicket-keeper Anthony Bramble for 13 and Romario Shepherd to pacer Jerome Taylor, who ended with three 44.
Requiring 37 runs off the last five overs, the Jaguars suffered a setback when Reifer was run out, attempting a second run. He hit two fours and a six in his 81-ball knock.
But Permaul became Guyana Jaguars’ hero, with a match-winning unbeaten 22 off 15 balls.
It came down to nine runs for victory off the final over from fast bowler Gordon Bryan and Permaul sealed the outcome with a six over long-on and a four through the covers.
Earlier, opener John Campbell and Nkrumah Bonner made contrasting half-centuries to pace the Scorpions’ innings.
Campbell hit six fours and a six in an attacking 56 off 59 balls before gifting his wicket, attempting a reverse sweep off the first ball from left-arm spinner Permaul.
Permaul also removed Andre McCarthy, who was bowled for a solid 36 off 54 balls but Bonner ended a lean tournament, with a responsible, unbeaten 76 off 64 balls.
He struck five fours and a six while bolstering the middle and lower half of the Scorpions’ innings.
After the Scorpions slipped to 135 for five after 31 overs, Bonner and Derval Green revived the innings by adding 69 runs in 11.5 overs for the sixth wicket.
Taylor also weighed in by smashing five fours in a breezy 28 off just 14 balls to take the Scorpions’ total well over the 250-mark.
The second semi-final will be played on Friday at the same venue between CCC Marooners and T&T Red Force from 2 p.m.
Summarised scores: Jamaica Scorpions 272-8 in 50 overs (Nkrumah Bonner 76, John Campbell 56, Andre McCarthy 36, Derval Green 32, Jerome Taylor 28; Clinton Pestano 3-56, Romario Shepherd 2-55).
Guyana Jaguars (Leon Johnson 101, Raymon Reifer 68, Sherfane Rutherford 22, Veerasammy Permaul 22 not out; Jerome Taylor 3-44, Nikita Miller 2-36(EZS)
