Led by a career-best of 3-25 by seamer Sherfane Rutherford and 3-31 from left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie, Guyana Harpy Eagles defended 190 and moved top of the standings in Group B with a 61-run victory over Windward Volcanoes at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy, Trinidad, on Monday evening.
The win enhances the Harpy Eagles’ chances of a top-two finish that secures a spot for the semi-finals in Antigua.
This match was also the final one for Tagenarine Chanderpaul, who now departs for Australia to join the rest of the Test squad.
Eagles have two more preliminary matches, Trinidad and Tobago (November 9) and Combined Campuses and Colleges (November 12).
Opting to bat first, Guyana Harpy Eagles were bowled out for 190 in 43 overs.
Opener Anthony Bramble top-scored with 60 (6x4s; 2x6s) off 58 balls as the Harpy Eagles lost wickets at regular intervals after an opening stand of 93 between Bramble and Tagenarine Chanderpaul, who made 30 (2x4s) off 49 balls.
Shimron Hetmyer (37) and Kevin Sinclair (36) were the other principal scorers.
Medium-pacer Justin Greaves (4-39) and left-arm spinner Kavem Hodge (3-9) were the main architects in the demise of the Harpy Eagles with support from Preston McSween (2-46) and Ryan John (1-32).
