BRIDGETOWN, Barbados - (CMC) - Floyd Reifer and Kurt Wilkinson completed purposeful hundreds to lift Barbados to an impregnable position against Guyana in their opening round match of the Carib Beer 2004 Cricket Series at Kensington Oval, yesterday.

Guyana were 12 without loss in their second innings when stumps were drawn on the second day, after Wilkinson reached his third regional first-class hundred and Reifer his seventh to lead Barbados to 422 for seven declared, replying to Guyana's modest first innings total of 108.

Reifer, who played four Tests for West Indies, defied stinging criticism about his selection with 133 that included seven fours and three sixes from 254 balls in just 5-1/2 hours. Wilkinson, a former Young West Indies batsman, hit 16 fours in 116 from 221 balls in 3-3/4 hours to enhance his reputation as a batsman of some promise.

The century-makers completed an 84-run, third-wicket partnership after Barbados continued from their bedtime position of 120 for two. Then Reifer and Ian Bradshaw, whose 65 from 134 balls in 2-1/2 hours contained eight fours, added 146 for the eighth wicket to put the Guyanese on the backfoot.

With Rayon Thomas, one of his strike bowlers not able to take the field, Guyana captain Neil McGarrell found it difficult plugging the gaps. Lennox Cush, whose off-spin has pulled Guyana out of tight situations in previous matches, was the pick of the visitors’ bowling with first-class career-best figures of four wickets for 122 from 33.1 overs.

Cush made the breakthrough for the Guyanese after 1-1/4 hours when Wilkinson was lbw, essaying a slog/sweep at a delivery of full length.

Although the Barbadians progressed at a steady rate after his dismissal, the innings still wobbled a bit with three wickets falling either side of the lunch interval that arrived with the home team on 240 for five.

In the final half-hour before the interval, McGarrell had Antonio Mayers caught at slip for 11 and Cush captured his third wicket when Courtney Browne was also caught at slip for 15 to leave Barbados 236 for four.

After the interval, Reifer and Ryan Hurley spent the first 45 minutes adding 40 for the seventh wicket before Hurley, who played a few One-day Internationals for West Indies last year, was caught at deep mid-wicket for 30 off Esaun Crandon.

Reifer continued moving towards his century with crisp strokes interspersed with sound defence. He found Bradshaw, an astute ally, and they carried Barbados to tea at 343 for six with little or no alarms -- Reifer reaching his landmark just prior to the break with a single to mid-wicket off Mahendra Nagamootoo.

After the break, the Barbadians declared about 40 minutes before the close when Reifer was caught at extra cover off Cush.

GUYANA 1st innings 108

BARBADOS 1st innings (o/n 120 for two)

K.Wilkinson lbw b Cush 116

S.Campbell c M. Nagamootoo b Crandon 12

R.Hinds b Cush 21

F.Reifer c Dowlin b Cush 133

A.Mayers c M. Nagamootoo b McGarrell 11

C.Browne c M. Nagamootoo b Cush 15

R.Hurley c Chattergoon b Crandon 30

I.Bradshaw not out 65

Extras: (b-3, lb-4, w-2, nb-10) 19

Total: (7 wkts decl'd) 422

Fall of wickets: 1-31, 2-100, 3-184, 4-219, 5-236, 6-276.

Bowling: Crandon 18-1-70-2 (nb-8), Thomas 0.5-0-1-0 (nb-1), McGarrell 28.1-7-71-1, M.Nagamootoo 28-3-98-0 (nb-1, w2), Cush 33.1-1-122-4, Deonarine 18-1-53-0.

GUYANA 2nd innings

A.Haniff not out 2

S.Chattergoon not out 7

Extras: (b-2, lb-1) 3

Total: (without loss) 12

Bowling: Collins 3-2-2-0, Best 2-0-5-0, Nurse 2-1-2-0, Hurley 1-1-0-0.

Position: Guyana trail Barbados by 302 runs with all second innings wickets standing.