Sampson, Hetmyer half-centuries, Motie 5-for help Amazon Warriors march into top 2

The Guyana Amazon Warriors (GAW) produced a commanding all- round performance in the final league-stage clash of the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL), defeating the Barbados Royals by 64 runs at Providence and securing a coveted top-two finish, heading into the play-offs.
In the final game of the league stage, the GAW were asked to bat first against the Barbados Royals. The innings began shakily when opener Ben McDermott was run out for just two in the second over after a mix-up with partner Quentin Sampson, with Kofi James inflicting the early blow.
Sampson, however, quickly turned the tide with a counter-attacking display of clean hitting. He peppered the boundary and cleared the ropes four times at the beginning of his innings, ensuring the Royals’ bowlers never settled during the power play. His intent-driven batting kept the scoreboard moving and the Warriors in control.

Wicketkeeper-batter Shai Hope then joined the charge, extending his run of good form with a fluent 31 from 19 balls. Mixing placement with power, Hope struck a four and two sixes before being dismissed by Zishan Motara, well caught by Quinton de Kock. Together, Sampson and Hope added 69 for the second wicket, laying the foundation for a strong total.
At the halfway mark, Shimron Hetmyer had just begun to settle in alongside Sampson. With two proven finishers at the crease and plenty of depth still to come, the Warriors looked poised to push towards a commanding score.
Hetmyer and Sampson continued to play positively, targeting the Royals’ spinners to keep the pressure on. Sampson, in particular, looked assured as he brought up his second consecutive half-century, a fine reflection of his growing form and confidence at the top. His 50 came from 36 deliveries at a strike rate of 138, featuring three fours and four sixes that thrilled the Providence crowd.
Their stand reached 50 before the Royals struck back through Sherfane Rutherford’s well-directed bouncer, which forced Sampson into a mistimed pull that de Kock pouched safely. The dismissal ended another promising innings from the young opener, but the Warriors remained in a strong position.
With two local power hitters, Hetmyer and Romario Shepherd, now together at the crease, the stage was perfectly set for a late surge. At 126 for 3 after 15 overs, the Amazon Warriors looked primed to launch into the final five overs and post a daunting total.

Shepherd provided the late-innings spark with a brisk 20 from 13 balls before Daniel Sams claimed his wicket to pick up his first of the night. Dwaine Pretorius, the hero of the previous match, was unable to replicate his form, falling cheaply for two after mistiming a lofted shot to long off.
Amid the quick wickets, Hetmyer stood tall, guiding the innings with a blend of power and placement. He brought up his second half-century of the Republic Bank CPL, delighting the home fans with eight fours and three sixes in a sparkling 68 from just 38 deliveries. His innings finally came to an end in the final over, caught on the long-on boundary while searching for another big hit. The Warriors closed their innings strongly, finishing on an imposing 189 for 6 from their 20 overs.
The Royals’ reply began on shaky ground as the Warriors struck early with the new ball. Pretorius removed de Kock for 12, before following up with a sharp bouncer that forced Kadeem Alleyne into a miscued shot on 11. Shamar Joseph then made an immediate impact, uprooting Rassie van der Dussen’s stumps with his very first delivery, leaving the Royals in deep trouble.
By the end of the power play, Barbados had slumped to 32 for 3, their chase already faltering against a disciplined Warriors attack.
The middle overs brought little relief for the Royals as the Warriors’ bowlers maintained tight lines and lengths, cutting off the scoring opportunities. With boundaries hard to come by and the pressure mounting, the Barbados batters failed to inject any momentum into the chase. At the halfway stage, they had limped to 58 for 3 after 10 overs, leaving a daunting task ahead with the required rate climbing steadily.
Joseph struck again to claim his second wicket, trapping Rutherford lbw for a laboured 27 from 32 deliveries. The Royals’ hopes suffered another blow soon after when Captain Rovman Powell’s stay was cut short; he managed just a single run before falling to Imran Tahir while attempting a big hit. At the end of 14 overs, Barbados were struggling at 86 for 5, still requiring a daunting 104 runs for victory.
Gudakesh Motie then joined the wicket-taking party, dismantling the Royals’ lower order with precision. He first accounted for Shaqkere Parris, who scratched his way to 15 off 18 balls, before clean bowling Sams for just one. Motie’s third strike came courtesy of an excellent running catch by Joseph to remove Chris Green for 10. By the end of the 17th over, the Royals had collapsed to 110 for 8, their chase all but over.
Motie’s outstanding night reached its peak as he cleaned up the tail, claiming the final two wickets to complete a brilliant five-wicket haul. He finished with figures of 5 for 21, capping off a clinical display from the Warriors’ attack. The Barbados Royals were bundled out for 125 in 18.2 overs, handing the Amazon Warriors a commanding 64-run victory.