Left-arm spinner Veerasammy Permaul claimed a nine-wicket match haul as leaders Guyana Jaguars extended their winning streak to six straight with a comprehensive 105-run win over Trinidad and Tobago Red Force.
Set 303 for victory on Monday’s final day after Jaguars declared at their overnight 244 for four, Red Force collapsed in a heap at the National Stadium for 197 to suffer their third defeat of the Regional first class season.
As he was in the first innings when he claimed five wickets, Permaul proved Red Force’s tormentor with four for 45 while fellow left-armer Gudakesh Motie supported with two for 45 and Test leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo, two for 56.
Left-hander Narsingh Deonarine top-scored with 57 against his former side while all-rounder Rayad Emrit struck 48 but they were the only two batsmen to pass 20 as Red Force showed little penchant for a fight.
The victory lifted the defending champions to 101 points, still clear of second placed Barbados Pride who earlier beat Windward Islands Volcanoes to move to 82 points.
There was little doubt about the outcome once Red Force lost their first three wickets cheaply to crash to 101 for five at lunch.
Barbadian right-handed opener Kyle Hope played on to left-armer seamer Raymon Reifer – also Barbadian – in the fourth over of the innings for eight with the score on 16 before Imran Khan, promoted up the order, was bowled for ten by fast bowler Keon Joseph with the score on 21 for two in the seventh over.
Permaul then removed first innings top-scorer Yannic Cariah for nine with his second delivery of the innings and four overs later, had captain Jason Mohammed caught at the wicket for two, as Red Force plunged to 41 for four.
Deonarine tried to rescue his side with an innings that consumed 141 deliveries and included five boundaries. He added 34 for the fifth wicket with Yannick Ottley (10) and a further 26 for the sixth wicket with Evin Lewis who made 16.
When the left-handed Lewis fell to Motie in the first over after the break, Deonarine partnered with wicketkeeper Steven Katwaroo (19) to add 26, as Red Force tried to rally in the second session.
Both fell within 20 runs of each other and Emrit then loosened his shoulders with a cameo 48 from 51 balls with nine fours, to delay the inevitable.
He put on 40 off 43 balls for the ninth wicket with Marlon Richards before finally holing out in the deep off Bishoo.
Scores:
JAGUARS 1st Innings: 237 (Vishaul Singh 104 not out, Veerasammy Permaul 47, Leon Johnson 23; Marlon Richards 3-41, Rayad Emrit 3-44, Jon-Russ Jagessar 3-59)
RED FORCE 1st Innings: 179 (Yannic Cariah 68, Jason Mohammed 30, Evin Lewis 26; Veerasammy Permaul 5-65, Devendra Bishoo 3-48)
JAGUARS 2nd Innings:244 for four decl. (Leon Johnson 111 not out, Tagenarine Chanderpaul 42, Anthony Bramble 39 not out; Jon-Russ Jagessar 4-67)
RED FORCE 2nd Innings:197 (Narsingh Deonarine 57, Rayad Emrit 48; Veerasammy Permaul 4-45, Gudakesh Motie 2-45, Devendra Bishoo 2-56)