Kirk McKenzie fell just a few short of a well-deserved century but it was enough to guide the Jamaica Scorpions to a comfortable 80-run victory over the West Indies Academy via the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method in their Regional Super50 match at the Sir Frank Worrell Memorial Ground, Trinidad.
McKenzie blasted 90 from 92 balls as the Scorpions were out for 250 from 48.1 overs after winning the toss and choosing to bat first.
With a revised target of 236 in 43 overs after rain caused a delay, the West Indies Academy could only gather 155 from 28 overs falling to their second defeat in as many matches.
It was the first win of the tournament for the Scorpions after losing to Barbados Pride in their opening match.
Their was a 93-run partnership between McKenzie and opener John Campbell which contributed to their total, following the early dismissal of Odain McCatty for a first ball duck.
The pair carried the score to 95 before Campbell was caught and bowled by Joshua Bishop for 39 from 32 balls.
Jermaine Blackwood then came to the crease and joined McKenzie to put Jamaica in complete control in a 78- run partnership that carried them to 173 for two in the 30th over.
But once Johann Layne took the wicket of McKenzie, Jediah Blades then grabbed three wickets causing a middle-order collapse as the Scorpions lost their last eight wickets for 77 runs. Blades ended with 4-46, while Bishop took 3-35 and Layne 2-40.
In reply, the West Indies Academy got off to the worst possible start when they lost openers Justin Jagessar and Ackeem Auguste for ducks to find themselves 2-0.
Teddy Bishop top-scored with 61 and Rivaldo Clarke made 35, to steady the innings in an 83-run partnership for the third wicket.
However, when Clarke fell to Brad Barnes, the West Indies Academy lost wickets regularly thereafter with no other significant contributions from the batters.
Marquino Mindley took 3-6, Barnes ended with 3-22 while Jeavor Royal captured 3-44 to aid in defeating the Academy.
