NORTH SOUND, Antigua (CMC) — A crucial sixth-wicket stand between Assad Fudadin and Derwin Christian helped Guyana overcome a mid-innings wobble to easily get past Leeward Islands and make a positive start to their Regional Super50 campaign here Thursday.

Chasing an inadequate 163 for victory, Guyana were cruising at 87 for one before losing four wickets for 28 runs to slump to 115 for five.

However, Fudadin stroked an unbeaten 26, while Christian finished on 22, as Guyana easily reached their target in the 46th over to win by five wickets at the Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium.

Left-hander Leon Johnson top-scored with 30, Rajendra Chadrika chipped in with 28, while Chris Barnwell (22) and Trevon Griffith (21) also played key roles.

Off-spinner Justin Athanaze finished with two for 24.

Winning the toss and batting, the Leewards were dismissed for 162 off 43.2 overs, with Jahmar Hamilton getting 40 from 45 balls with four fours, Montcin Hodge, 33, and Rahkeem Cornwall 21.

Barnwell was instrumental, picking up four for 31 with his right-arm medium pace while West Indies leg-spinner Devendra Bishoo weighed in with three for 35.

Scoreboard

LEEWARDS

M Hodge c Johnson b Bishoo 33

A Richards Jr c Wintz b Beaton 1

R Cornwall c wkp Christian b Beaton 21

S Liburd b Bishoo 6

*S Joseph c Permaul b Barnwell 10

T Willett c Griffith b Bishoo 16

+J Hamilton c Griffith b Barnwell 40

J Athanaze run out 5

L Baker b Barnwell 9

A Martin not out 1

Q Boatswain c wkp Christian b Barnwell 0

Extras (lb9, w11) 20

TOTAL (all out, 43.2 overs) 162

Fall of wickets: 1-11, 2-36, 3-56, 4-73, 5-85, 6-121, 7-150, 8-151, 9-162, 10-162.

Bowling: Beaton 8-0-37-2 (w2), Wintz 6-1-12-0 (w2), Permaul 9-1-24-0 (w2), Bishoo 10-0-35-3, Barnwell 7.2-0-31-4 (w5), Jacobs 3-1-14-0.

GUYANA

T Griffith c Liburd b Baker 21

R Chandrika run out 28

L Johnson c Richards Jr b Athanaze 30

A Fudadin not out 26

S Jacobs c & b Athanaze 0

C Barnwell c Baker b Cornwall 22

+D Christian not out 22

Extras (lb3, w11, nb1) 15

TOTAL (5 wkts, 44.1 overs) 164

Did not bat: R Beaton, P Wintz, *V Permaul, D Bishoo.

Fall of wickets: 1-30, 2-87, 3-89, 4-90, 5-115.

Bowling: Baker 8-2-22-1 (w1), Boatswain 6.1-1-39-0 (w4), Martin 10-1-26-0 (nb1), Willett 4-0-19-1 (w1), Athanaze 10-2-24-2 (w5), Cornwall 6-1-31-1.

Result: Guyana won by five wickets.

Points: Guyana 4, Leewards 0.

Man-of-the-Match: Chris Barnwell.

Toss: Leewards.

Umpires: Joel Wilson, Danesh Ramdhanie.