A calm half-century from Kirk McKenzie proved the difference as the Jamaica Titans held their nerve to seal a thrilling three-run win over the Guyana Rainforest Rangers in the West Indies T20 Breakout League to secure their first victory of the campaign and leave their opponents rooted to the bottom of the table with a third straight loss.

McKenzie, all class and composure, top-scored with 51 off 31 balls as he stroked five fours and two sixes to anchor the Titans’ innings of 166 all out. It was a performance laced with intent and one that proved enough as the Rainforest Rangers came up short at 163-8 at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy on Tuesday.

After being sent in, the Titans were immediately pegged back by the early loss of opener Leroy Lugg for one in the opening over. But McKenzie and young talent Jordan Johnson rebuilt with a 72-run stand for the second wicket. McKenzie played the aggressor, timing the ball sweetly on a surface offering some reward to the bowlers.

Johnson, who blazed his way to 30 from just 16 balls, including six crisp boundaries, looked in sublime touch before he was undone by Ashmead Nedd, and soon after McKenzie was trapped lbw by Kevin Sinclair. With the Titans slipping from 74-1 to 86-3, the innings threatened to unravel.

Jamaica Titans celebrate a wicket. (Photos: Daniel Prentice/CWI)

But Zion Brathwaite (29 off 29) and Andrew Rambaran (36 off 22) steadied the ship with a vital 57-run partnership. Rambaran’s knock included two fours and two sixes, while Brathwaite, who had just one four and a six in his knock, rotated strike smartly to keep the scoreboard ticking.

However, a late collapse—sparked by Rambaran’s run-out, a golden duck for skipper Ramaal Lewis, and Brathwaite's dismissal at 153-6—saw the Titans lose their last four wickets for just 13 runs.

The Rangers’ pursuit began with early jitters as Adrian Sukha was caught for four, but Rivaldo Clarke, who slammed three fours and a six in a 15-ball 24, and Kevlon Anderson, who struck four boundaries in his 21 off 14 balls, counterattacked to lift their side before both fell to leave the score at 55-3.

Captain Kemol Savory (25 off 29) and Zeynul Ramsammy then stitched together a promising 62-run partnership, steering the Rangers to 117-4 by the 16th over and seemingly in control of the chase.

Kirk McKenzie reacts after scoring a half-century.

However, just when the Rangers looked poised to break their duck, the Titans turned the screws. Anthony Dackers removed Savory, and Brathwaite, returning for a second spell, sent back Sinclair (one) to leave the Rangers wobbling.

Despite Ramsammy’s unbeaten 44 off 43 balls, which included a four and a six, the lower order crumbled under pressure. Quentin Sampson (eight), Ashmead Nedd (11), and Nial Smith (3) could not provide the finish their side desperately needed, and the Rangers fell three runs short.

The Titans’ bowling was led by Zion Brathwaite (2-24) and Anthony Dackers (2-23) delivering under pressure. Rambaran (1-10) also chipped in.