HOSTS Guyana, led by a belligerent undefeated 95 by captain Carl Hooper and a solid 58 from debutant opener Sewnarine Chattergoon started their 2001 Red Stripe Bowl campaign with a 80-run victory over Southern Windwards at the Albion Community Centre ground, yesterday.

Set 217 for victory in the rain-affected Zone B limited overs cricket match, after Guyana had reached 216 for three in their reduced 30 overs, the South Windwards were 136 for five when their 30 overs expired.

Opener Devon Smith hit the topscore of 48 for the Islanders with five fours off 83 balls.

Hooper, who belted five towering sixes and four fours off just 59 balls shared in two half-century partnerships after Guyana won the toss and batted.

The West Indies captain, who strode to the wicket with his team on 61 for two in the 12th over, added 99 in 12.5 overs for the third-wicket with the left-handed Chattergoon and an unbeaten 55 for the fourth with his West Indies team-mate Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who was 13 not out at the end.

Guyana had earlier lost Andrew Gonsalves (11) and Ramnaresh Sarwan (26), following a three-and-a-half hour delay, occasioned by early morning rain after only two deliveries were bowled by left-arm fast bowler Deighton Butler.

Chattergoon, a graduate of the Shell Academy, supported his captain well with superb running between the wickets, as they gathered runs freely.

The partnership ended when Chattergoon, whose knock included two fours and a six, skied leg-spinner Rawl Lewis to backward square for wicketkeeper Junior Murray to run around and take an easy catch.

Hooper then proceeded to dominate the stand with Chanderpaul, smashing the Southern Windwards bowlers to all parts of the Albion outfield in front of a large large Albion crowd

In response, the Southern Windwards, with the in-form Smith playing a number of handsome strokes, aided by wayward fast-bowling from Reon King and Colin Stuart, raced to 53 without loss after five overs, forcing Hooper to bring on himself and left-arm spinner Neil McGarrell.

The change not only checked the rapid scoring rate but also saw the downfall of opener Romel Currency for 19 in the 15th over, caught at backward square by McGarrell off Hooper.

Murray (8) made his intentions clear before edging leg-spinner Magamootoo to his brother Vishal behind the stumps with the score on 87 for two in the 18th over.

Skipper Lewis maintained the tempo by hitting a quick-fire 28 but once he departed and Smith followed shortly afterwards, the Windwards' challenge to Guyana's challenging total, ended.