PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) — Kirk McKenzie fell just short of a well-deserved century but it was enough to pilot Jamaica Scorpions to a comfortable, 80-run victory over West Indies Academy, via the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method, in their Regional Super50 match here Saturday.

McKenzie blasted 90 from 92 balls as the Scorpions were dismissed for 250 from 48.1 overs, after winning the toss and electing to bat at Sir Frank Worrell Memorial Ground.

Set a revised target of 236 in 43 overs after rain caused a delay, West Indies Academy could only muster 155 from 28 overs to fall to their second defeat in as many matches.

Meanwhile, it was the Scorpions’ first win of the tournament after losing to Barbados Pride in their opening encounter.

They owed their total to a 93-run partnership between McKenzie and opener John Campbell, following the early dismissal of Odain McCatty for a first-ball duck.

The duo carried the score to 95 before Campbell was caught and bowled by Joshua Bishop for 39 from 32 balls.

McKenzie found a worthy partner in Jermaine Blackwood, and they put Jamaica in complete control during a 78-run partnership that had them cruising at 173 for two in the 30th over.

But once Johann Layne snagged the wicket of McKenzie, Jediah Blades grabbed three wickets to cause 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.

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, who topscored with 61, and Rivaldo Clarke, who made 35, then steadied the innings in an 83-run partnership for the third wicket.

However, when Clarke fell to Brad Barnes, West Indies Academy lost wickets at regular intervals thereafter and never seriously threatened their target.

Marquino Mindley took 3-6, Barnes ended with 3-22, while Jeavor Royal captured 3-44 to help rout the Academy.