ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – Fight-backs were the order of the day in the West Indies Championship on Thursday.

A destructive spell from Clinton Pestano hauled leaders Guyana Jaguars back into their contest against Jamaica Scorpions following a batting collapse that left them in danger of falling behind in the feature match at Sabina Park on the first day of eighth round matches.

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At the same time – Two key strikes by Test left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican gave Barbados Pride a share of the honours against Windward Islands Hurricanes at the Arnos Vale Cricket Ground.

And, West Indies hopeful Jahmar Hamilton led three batsmen with half-centuries, as Leeward Islands Hurricanes recovered from a shaky start to keep Trinidad & Tobago Red Force in the field for the entire day at Warner Park.

Jaguars (158) vs Scorpions 108-4 in Kingston, Jamaica

Pestano was at the heart of the Jags’ revival, claiming claimed 4-16 from six devastating overs, as the Scorpions reeled at 30 for five.

The Jaguars fast-medium bowler removed the first three wickets to fall with Scorpions captain Paul Palmer, Chadwick Walton and Test batsman Jermaine Blackwood all going cheaply.

Derval Green, whose 40 not out has been the top score so far, and Assad Fudadin, not out on 31, both counter-attacked in a sixth-wicket stand of 68.

Sent in earlier, Jaguars’ innings never found momentum and suffered from a lack of partnerships, as Anthony Bramble led the way with 36, Vishaul Singh got 27 and captain Leon Johnson added 24.

Two small partnerships helped put the total beyond 150. Stumbling on 44 for three, Singh and Johnson added 45 for the fourth wicket to revive the innings.

And when both left-handers were part of a slide that saw four wickets tumble for 10, Bramble and Romario Shepherd put on 42 to steady the lower order.

Bramble was his usual aggressive self, striking six fours off 49 deliveries.

Hurricanes 296-5 vs Red Force in Basseterre, St. Kitts

Sent in, Hurricanes were tottering on 14 for two, after left-arm seamer Daniel St Clair (2-32) knocked over openers Montcin Hodge and captain Kieran Powell cheaply.

But Hamilton hit the top score of, Devon Thomas made 67 and Terrance Warde was unbeaten on 64 to lead the Hurricanes’ recovery.

Youth World Cup star Keacy Carty stroked 44 and Rahkeem Cornwall was on 34 not out.

The experienced Thomas came to his side’s rescue by anchoring a 101-run, third-wicket stand with Carty, which kept the Red Force bowlers at bay after the early wobble.

When both fell within the space of 33 deliveries to leave the score on 141 for four, Hurricanes found salvation through another century stand, as Hamilton and Warde put on 109 for the fifth wicket.

Hamilton became left-arm spinner Khary Pierre’s second wicket of the day at 250 for five, but Warde found an ally in Cornwall to add a further 46 in an unbroken sixth-wicket stand to further frustrate Red Force.

Pride (215) vs Volcanoes 49-2 in Arnos Vale, St. Vincent

Pride struck back when Warrican removed the dangerous Devon Smith for 18 and then Kavem Hodge for four to leave the hosts stuttering at the start of their innings.

Wicketkeeper Tevyn Walcott had earlier struck his second half-century in his three innings when he carved out a polished 66 to rescue the visitors.

Arriving at the crease with Pride tottering on 60 for five, Walcott put on a crucial 82 for the sixth wicket with veteran left-hander Jonathan Carter, who made a chancy 42.

Carter rode his luck however, and was dismissed off a Shermon Lewis no-ball on 25 in the second over after lunch and then dropped in the same over off a caught and bowled chance, with no addition to his score.

He was dismissed caught behind off Josh Thomas, but Walcott added a further 39 for the seventh wicket with Warrican before departing.

Thomas and left-arm spinner Larry Edwards grabbed three wickets apiece to lead the Volcanoes bowling.