Defending champions St Catherine CC sent an early warning to the rest of the competition, opening their Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) Super 50 Cup campaign with a resounding 186-run win over Police in the opening round at Elletson Road at the weekend.
Despite missing some players, the likes of Jeavor Royal, Kennar Lewis and Vitel Lawes, St Catherine showcased their batting depth and bowling firepower to amass a formidable 321 for eight from their allotted 50 overs.
National player Peat Salmon led the charge with a fluent 78, receiving solid support from another national player Carlos Brown, 49, and Trevaun Williams, 46.
Mario Davis was the pick of the Police bowlers, claiming four for 65.
The chase proved to be a nightmare for the lawmen, who were bundled out for a mere 135 in just 22 overs. Carlos Brown proved unplayable, ripping through the order with figures of six for 19, while Wildel Bailey provided excellent support with three for 32.
In other opening-round action, St Catherine Cricket Association defeated GC Foster by 5 wickets at Port Esquivel.
GC Foster struggled to 167 all out in 39.5 overs, with Dantae Clarke scoring a fighting 52.
St. Catherine CA made light work of the target, reaching 169 for five in 30.3 overs, anchored by Rasheed Outar’s 53. Demareo Newton tried to stem the tide for GC Foster, taking three for 45.
The day’s most dominant performance came from the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), who demolished Portland by a staggering 336 runs.
JDF posted a mammoth 475 for nine from their 50 overs, thanks to a brutal 156 from Tevin Gilzene and a supporting 66 from Romaine McCalla.
Sekou Dixon was the lone bright spot for Portland with the ball, taking four for 82.
Portland’s reply was nothing short of disastrous. They were skittled for 139 in 23.3 overs. Herman Henry offered lone resistance with 77, but Gordon Bryan 4-31 and Sheldon Cottrell 2-15 tore through the rest of the lineup.
In other matches, beaten finalists Kingston CC suffered a heavy nine-wicket defeat to Lucas CC.
Kingston were dismissed for 155, Brad Barnes made 65 while Brandon English took three for 28. Lucas wasted no time in reply, racing to 156 for one in 23 overs, led by an unbeaten 84 from Maurice Harrow.
Melbourne also enjoyed a comfortable outing, defeating Mico by eight wickets.
Mico were bowled out for 136 in 29.5 overs, with Khari Campbell, fresh from his Caribbean Premier League stint, starring with four for 49. Melbourne cruised to 138 for two in 18.2 overs, as captain Javelle Glenn led the run chase with 56 not out and veteran Chadwick Walton finished the job with 41.
Other winners in the opening round were St Ann CA, St Mary CA, St James CA, and St Elizabeth CA.
