Guyana Harpy Eagles moved within grasp of regaining the West Indies Championship after beating Jamaica Scorpions by 228 runs before lunch on the final day at the National Stadium, Providence.

Resuming their second innings in the comfortable position of 176 for one, Scorpions lost nine wickets for 53 as they were bundled out for 229 in 66.2 overs. Over the four days, Eagles managed 278 in their first innings with Leon Johnson piloting the innings on the heels of an unbeaten 150. The hosts established a solid first innings lead when they bundled out the Scorpions for 115 in their first innings. Eagles then declared their second innings on 294 for seven with Tevin Imlach reaching a maiden first-class century, setting Scorpions a target of 458 for win.

When play resumed yesterday Tevin Gilzene looked set to convert his overnight score of 81 but could only add four runs before he was trapped leg before wicket by off-spinner Kevin Sinclair trying to work one through the leg side off his back foot.

With Gilzene’s 141-ball vigil coming to an end, so did his 172-run partnership with Jermaine Blackwood. Blackwood, resuming the day on 60, went on to make 80 from 161 balls before he too fell to Sinclair.

Ojay Shields was the only other batsman to reach double figures for the day, making 14 from 13 balls before he was stumped by Imlach off of Veerasammy Permaul. The next delivery saw Marquino Mindley being dismissed for a first-ball duck to see the left-arm spinner ending with 2-23.

Sinclair bagged the final wicket of the day to fittingly end with 4-37 as Nkrumah Bonner was caught at first slip by Sinclair’s Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club team mate, Kevlon Anderson. Sinclair ended with 4-37 from 18.2 overs.

Ronsford Beaton brought his tally of wickets to 18 after ending with 3-85 after 17 overs while Nial Smith returned one wicket.

Eagles will face Leeward Islands Hurricanes in the final round from Wednesday at Providence while Trinidad and Tobago will battle against Scorpions in Tarouba. Reigning champions, Barbados will clash with Windward Islands Volcanoes at Queen’s Park.