Jacobs' career best dissipates Hurricanes

West Indies 'A' leg-spinner Damion Jacobs completed his 13th first-class five-wicket haul and with it, helped Jamaica Scorpions defeat Leeward Hurricanes by 58 runs in their penultimate Digicel-Cricket West Indies Four-day Championship clash at Sabina Park yesterday.

Jacobs, who claimed seven for 74 in the first innings, returned on the final day to pick up five for 83, as the Leewards, chasing 262 for victory, were bowled out for 204 inside the first session.

The 32-year-old Jacobs, who had resumed the final day with figures of two for 68, has now moved his first-class tally to 181 wickets in 44 matches, at an average of 22.38, and an economy rate of 2.83.

The Scorpions in their first and second innings made 197 and 235, while the Hurricanes in their first time at bat scored 171.

''Our bowlers were exceptional throughout this game, and pulled us through,'' expressed Scorpions captain, Nikita Miller.

"They were disciplined, bowled in good areas with Jacobs and Campbell leading the way. Jacobs also got 12 wickets in the match after struggling to get wickets throughout the season.

''But he has always been bowling well, so to see him coming off in this match is good for his confidence, and, hopefully he will continue to build on it.''

 

UNLIKELY VICTORY

 

In a difficult position at 159 for six, and needing another 103 runs to pull off an unlikely victory, the Leewards started the day disastrously, as with just two runs added, they lost wicketkeeper, Jahmar Hamilton, caught off the bowling of part-time off-spinner John Campbell, for his overnight five.

It was then expected to be almost impossible task for the Leewards to win from there, and thanks to Jacobs, Jamaica were able to wrap up proceedings.

Campbell, who at the end of day three boasted figures of three for 12, ended with four for 40.

It was the second such victory for the Scorpions this season following their 268 runs win at Warner Park in St Kitts, and it moved them above the Leewards in the points table.

Jamaica, in their final fixture this weekend, will play away to Barbados Pride at Kensington Oval, while the Leewards will entertain the Windward Islands Volcanoes at Warner Park.

Champions Guyana Jaguars will host Trinidad and Tobago Red Force at Providence where they are set to collect the Headley-Weekes Trophy after copping a fourth straight hold on the title this season.

 

SCOREBOARD

 

SCORPIONS 1st Innings 197

HURRICANES 1st Innings 171

SCORPIONS 2nd Innings 235

HURRICANES 2nd Innings

(target: 262 runs)

(overnight 159 for six)

M Hodge c Blackwood b Jacobs 45

*K Powell c Green b Jacobs 16

K Carty b Miller 2

D Thomas c Blackwood b

Campbell 52

A Saunders c Green b Campbell 22

+J Hamilton c Blackwood b Campbell 5

S Burton hit wkt b Campbell 7

J Louis not out 34

M Mathew c Blackwood b

Jacobs 11

C Holder b Jacobs 2

S Berridge c and b Jacobs 1

Extras (b4, lb2, nb1) 7

TOTAL (all out, 80.3 overs) 204

Fall of wickets: 1-43, 2-52, 3-101,

4-134, 5-144, 6-154, 7-161, 8-186, 9-196, 10-204.

Bowling: Green 4-1-8-0, Mindley 6-4-13-0, Jacobs 29.3-4-83-5, Miller 22-4-51-1, Campbell 18-3-40-4, Allen 1-0-3-0.

Result: Scorpions won by

57 runs.

Toss: Hurricanes.

Umpires: V Smith, D Ramdhani.