Floyd Reifer hit a splendid century to earn Barbados a fighting draw against Guyana last Monday and give them a place in the 2005-06 Carib Beer Challenge final against Trinidad and Tobago who easily defeated the Windward Islands by 391 runs.

The experienced Reifer emerged from a poor run of form to make 101 as Barbados, set 282 to win their semifinal at the Carlton Club, ended on 268 for seven.

Barbados, who took first innings lead by 35 runs, will now meet Cup champions Trinidad and Tobago in the five-day final starting on Saturday at Guaracara Park.

Left-hander Reifer, batting at No. 3 for the first time this season, put behind him the discomfort of pain in his right hand in the latter half of his innings to complete his ninth first-class century.

It was an innings in which he faced 213 balls, hit 11 fours and batted for four hours before edging a catch to slip with 45 minutes left on the clock for Guyana to take four wickets they needed to claim victory.

Guyana then removed Ian Bradshaw with half-hour remaining, but wicket-keeper Patrick Browne, who made a responsible unbeaten 39 that spanned two hours, and off-spinner Ryan Austin batted through the last half-hour to deny Guyana.

While Reifer, who earned the Man-of-the-Match award played a vital role, there were also vital contributions from Browne, openers Dale Richards and Wayne Blackman, along with captain Ryan Hinds.

Guyana, whose attack was centred on their spinners, wheeled away admirably, but were let down by poor catching that resulted in three missed chances in the first session.

Leg-spinner Mahendra Nagamootoo, who threatened to make inroads into Barbados' batting just before tea, finished with three for 93 off 30 overs, while left-arm spinner Neil McGarrell, who took two late wickets to keep their hopes alive, ended with three for 30 from 33 overs.

Resuming on seven without loss, Barbados made satisfying progress in the first session, losing only one wicket in adding another 85 runs.

The platform was provided by an opening stand of 67 between Richards and Blackman. Richards played fluently against both pace and spin, stroking eight boundaries on the way to 44 before giving a catch to mid-off off Nagamootoo to end a promising innings that lasted an hour and three-quarters.

Reifer benefited from a slice of luck when Reon King spilled a simple chance at mid-wicket when the batsman was on six.

Blackman batted responsibly for three hours to compile a patient 36 off 139 balls but then flicked a catch to backward square-leg off fast bowler Reon King after adding 48 with Reifer for the second wicket.

A third wicket partnership of 57 between Reifer and Ryan Hinds followed before Barbados suffered a mini slump into the 20-minute period before tea in which they lost three wickets for 14 runs.