PROVIDENCE, Guyana (CMC) — Half-centuries from Shai Hope and Shimron Hetmyer, followed up by a disciplined bowling effort, carried the Guyana Amazon Warriors to a commanding 47-run victory over the Barbados Royals in the 27th match in the Caribbean Premier League.

On Wednesday, the high-scoring clash at the Guyana National Stadium saw the Warriors first post 219 for eight, with the Royals replying with 172 for nine.

The Barbados Royals won the toss and opted to bowl, and they got an early breakthrough when Maheesh Theekshana struck in the opening over by removing Rahmanullah Gurbaz for seven.

However, the Warriors quickly recovered, thanks to a 51-run stand between Azam Khan and Shai Hope in less than five overs.

Jason Holder ended the partnership by removing Khan for 26, but Hetmyer’s arrival sparked a devastating counter-attack.

The left-handed Hetmyer put on a century stand with Hope, ripping through the Royals’ bowling attack.

Guyana’s aggressive middle-overs surge saw them race to 100 in just 9.4 overs.

The pair dominated, with Hetmyer reaching his half-century off 29 balls and Hope following suit just two deliveries later.

Their assault included a 25-run over off Royals captain Rovman Powell.

Hetmyer was the fourth victim, going for a well-played 57 from 34 balls with four fours and three sixes, while Hope fell right after for a top score of 71 from 37 balls, including five fours and five sixes.

Although Guyana lost four wickets in quick succession, Romario Shepherd’s late blitz of 23 from 13 balls helped them post a formidable 219.

In response, the Royals faltered early, losing two quick wickets. Opener Kadeem Alleyne fell to Gudakesh Motie for one and then Dwaine Pretorious accounted for the wicket of Alick Athanaze for 8, at 17-2 in the fourth over.

Opener Quinton de Kock’s quick-fire 21-run over briefly shifted momentum. However, the Royal’s powerplay yielded only 46 runs, and the pressure started to mount.

Moeen Ali then came to the party by removing de Kock for 35, and with Imran Tahir’s twin strikes in consecutive overs, left the Royals reeling at 79 for five in the 11th over.

Ali’s 2 for 16 in his middle-overs spell and Motie’s 3 for 42 further suffocated the chase, despite David Miller’s defiant hitting towards the end, providing only temporary resistance.

Miller’s unbeaten 71 came too late for the Royals who finished 172-9, thus handing victory to the Warriors who strengthen their bid for a top-two finish.