The Kings were dismissed for just 119 after being undone by a devastating combination of Imran Tahir and Mehidy Hasan Miraz.

Tahir produced the standout performance with the ball, claiming 5 for 17, while Mehidy marked his CPL debut for Warriors with 3 for 13.

Kings had initially appeared reasonably positioned after reaching 51 for one at the end of the Powerplay, but the innings unravelled as the Warriors' spinners took control.

Warrirors did not have everything its own way in the chase.

King's bowlers created enough pressure to keep the contest alive, and the Warriors reached a point where 48 runs were still required from the final five overs.

Then Quentin Sampson changed the match.

The Warriror's batsman launched a spectacular late assault, finishing unbeaten on 37 from only 11 deliveries and carrying the Warriors to a four-wicket victory.

The result pushed Guyana back to the top of the CPL standings while leaving defending champions Saint Lucia on eight points from four victories.

More importantly for the Kings, their preliminary-round fixtures are now finished.

They must therefore watch the remaining matches to determine whether eight points will be enough to preserve their playoff position.

For Saint Lucia, the defeat will be particularly frustrating because the bowlers had given the team an opportunity to defend a modest total before Sampson's late hitting took the contest away.

Attention now shifts from what the Kings can control on the field to what happens elsewhere in the tournament.

The defending champions' postseason hopes are still alive but their fate is no longer entirely in their own hands.