Half-centuries of Kavem Hodge and Devon Smith have put the Windward Islands Volcanoes in a strong position of 314 for 5 at stumps at Sabina Park on day one of the Regional Four-Day Championships.

Hodge 171-ball 88 included 12 fours. He and Smith, who scored 77 while sharing an opening stand of 43 with Desron Maloney, put on 130 for the second wicket to lay a solid platform for the Volcanoes.

Hodge also featured in a 44-run with former West Indies batsman Kirk Edwards as the Windwards kept the Scorpions bowlers at bay. He eventually fell to the bowling of Derval Green who was the best of the Jamaican bowlers, ending the day with figures of 3 for 58 from 20 overs.

However, Hodge’s dismissal did not provide an opening for Jamaica as Emmanuel Stewart remained unbeaten on 46 and Keron Cottey (26) will resume batting on Friday morning.

Over at Bridgetown, Tagenarine Chanderpaul’s unbeaten 66 was the foundation for Guyana’s 209 for 8 at stumps as Barbados' Kemar Roach tore through the Jaguars’ batting taking 4 for 28.

There were two wickets each for Johnathan Carter and Jomel Warrican, who were also held up by a stubborn 43 from Kevin Sinclair.