CAVE HILL, Barbados (CMC) — Royston Crandon hit a typically robust 94 here yesterday and his older brother, Esuan, contributed an unbeaten 48 as Guyana fought back from early wobbles to enjoy the better of day one of their WICB Regional First-class match against hosts Combined Campuses & Colleges at 3Ws Oval.

The Crandon siblings guided Guyana to a competitive 271 all out in spite of three wickets apiece from Khismar Catlin (3-47), Kevin McClean (3-61) and Ryan Austin (3-76). Esuan added a late scalp as CCC slumped to 24 for three in reply.

Earlier, Guyana were in quick strife after being sent in, losing three wickets inside the first hour.

Rajendra Chandrika, the 20-year-old in his first season, looked in good touch in compiling 23 before he drove McClean to cover where Kjorn Ottley hauled in a fine head-high catch.

Next over, Chris Barnwell’s return to the first-class arena was cut short after two balls when he awkwardly lifted a catch to cover off Catlin.

Catlin added the scalp of captain Sewnarine Chattergoon (12) soon afterwards, to yet another lofted stroke. The left-hander clipped a full toss to mid-on and Guyana were stumbling at 49 for three.

Left-hander Assad Fudadin and Royston Crandon rebuilt with enterprise, taking their side to lunch without any more casualties.

Their fourth wicket stand was worth 58 when off-spinner Austin claimed the breakthrough as Fudadin (32) carved to Nekoli Parris at cover point. Fudadin hit four fours off 70 balls.

Austin quickly dented Guyana again by removing Vishal Singh (1) to a return catch at 118 for five.

The 26-year-old Royston Crandon, the powerful right-hander, brought up a no-nonsense half century off 82 balls by clouting two sixes and a four in one Kavesh Kantasingh over.

He also found another determined partner in wicketkeeper Derwin Christian, who compiled 21 in a stand of 75.

Christian departed just before tea as he chased a wide one from Catlin and edged to gully.

Royston Crandon, 88 at tea, fell agonisingly short of his second first-class century after the break. After hitting six fours and four sixes off 151 balls, the Rose Hall Town man eventually miscued Austin and provided straight midwicket with an easy catch at 216 for seven. Esuan guided the tail intelligently, reining in his usual aggression to notch a career-best, which included two fours off 85 deliveries.