ST.JOHN’S, Antigua, (CMC)- Guyana Jaguars and the Jamaica franchise have established themselves as early front runners at the end of the opening round of the WICB Professional Cricket League (PCL) which concluded on Monday.

However the Jaguars hold a slender one point lead by picking up one more batting point than their Jamaican rivals in the revamped first class tournament set to run for four months. Guyana Jaguars beat Leewards Franchise by an innings and 10 runs inside three days at the Guyana National Stadium while the Jamaica Franchise defeated Windwards Volcanoes by 13 runs also inside three days at Sabina Park.

Jaguars sit at the top of the table on 17 points which include two for batting and three for bowling while the Jamaicans are one point behind having also collected three points for bowling and one for batting.

Barbados’ Kraigg Brathwaite and Guyana’s Narsingh Deonarine chalked up centuries in the first round.

While Guyana and Jamaica enjoyed outright victories, Barbados Pride were not that fortunate as rain wrecked their chances of pushing for victory against Trinidad and Tobago Red Force after they dominated for the better part of four days.

Despite the opening round setback, the champions have finished the first round in third position on 8 points picking up two batting points and three bowling points along the way.

Red Force with five points are fourth, the Windwards are fifth with three points while the Leewards lie bottom of the standings on two points.

The PCL enters its second round on Friday with Guyana Jaguars playing Windward Islands Volcanoes at the Guyana National Stadium, Leewards Franchise take on T&T Red Force at Warner Park and Barbados Pride face Jamaica Franchise at Windward Sports Club.