Derol Redhead hits out on his way to an unbeaten 187 in Sundays Digicel 20/20 opener against Lucas United. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Steadroy Jacobs picked up 4 wickets for Lucas United but didn't have any answer to Redhead's onslaught. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Dave Doharty of Lucas United celebrates a catch behind off the bowling of Steadroy Jacobs. Photo: Kevin Dawson

The first game of the new domestic Digicel-sponsored 20/20 season saw Virgin Gorda face Lucas United with both teams looking to get off to a winning start in the first round of the new format, which sees three groups of 3 teams playing for the right to progress to the second round.

VG won the toss and decided to bat first with Derol Redhead taking full advantage of some short pitched bowling to race to an individual landmark of 187 not out. His innings included 19 sixes and 14 fours as he belted the ball to all parts of the field and out of it.

Eldon Williams joined Redhead in a partnership of 176 scored in just over 11 middle overs with Williams smashing a quick fire 63 as Virgin Gorda reached 325 for 6 at the end of their 20 overs.

Steadroy Jacobs was the most successful Lucas United bowler in picking up 4-56, whilst both Bryan Daley and Winston Davis finished with one wicket a piece.

In reply, Joel Williams found an excellent line and length to go with his pace and both Otis Chin and McAuthor Byfield found it hard to score.

Chin fell for 48 to Leslie Ambrose who finished with 2-45 and Ruon Sweeney hit some late pyrotechnics on his way to an unbeaten 71 to boost the Lucas total to 247-5.

Rodney Modeste also picked up two wickets for Virgin Gorda who took home the 4 points for their 78-run win.

The new format provides for a much more competitive campaign with positive results more important than in past seasons. The format also means that teams have to hit the ground running as a loss could result in an early exit.

Each group was seeded based on previous results and even the Cavaliers, who are four time defending champions, face a tough test under new captain, Jagnarine Persaud, who will be in charge of a team missing Daniel Singh, Keith Semple and Vijay Jhappan.

However, it seemed business as usual as in game two of the opening day they outplayed Police and recorded a 171-run victory.

Police have embraced several youngsters from the West Indies Cricket Board’s Grassroots Programme into their ranks including Elvette Dore, Kadesh Talle, a young fast bowler with good potential, Ricky Singh a talented batsman/bowler, Kevin Silchand who captains the Virgin Gorda Youth team, Raoul Roberts, who bowls some zippy off breaks and Shamoy Joseph, who keeps wicket and could prove a long term replacement for Adrian Kartik who is still one of the best keepers in the Territory.

Apart from Kartik, the Police team do have the experienced Kevin Joseph, still one of the finest batsmen to watch, Neil Niles, the most recent National team captain, Vin Rambarose and Ricardo Noel in their ranks, but despite losing 6 wickets for just 62 runs in the middle of their innings the Cavaliers still looked like championship contenders.

Dorian Auguiste settled any Cavaliers worries over their new look line up scoring 98 at the top of the order. The innings that under lined his class only curtailed by an LBW decision. Teddy Nankishore also lived up to his star billing with a powerful 42 before he fell to Sillchand to hand the latter his first senior wicket.

Collis Fraser was the pick of the Police bowlers with his 4-40, but some lusty blows from Shane Sinclair (40 n.o.) and Julian Sinclair (25 n.o.) lifted the Cavaliers to a total of 313-8.

In reply, Police needed an innings of substance from Joseph, but he was adjudged caught behind for just 11. Kevin Carter played some classy drives before falling for 28 and Neil Niles reached 27, but the Police were never really in the hunt.

Julian and Shane Sinclair along with Chrisnand Dhanpaul finished with 2 wickets each.

The first round sees three groups looking to progress with Virgin Gorda and Lucas United joined by the New Testament Church of God. The Police and Cavaliers also have Jam Rock in the group, whilst the third and final group features the Vincy C.C., last year’s runners up, the Vikings C.C. and the Wolues.

The top two teams from each will progress to the second round which is also based on two groups of three. The top two teams from each of those groups will then play a round robin “Fantastic Four” with the top two finishers facing each other in the final slated for July 28.

In the 2009 final played at Greenlands, the Cavaliers proved just too strong for the TGS Vincy team who were set 219 for victory. Vincy could only muster 158 as first Persaud and then Auguiste ripped through their batting. Early Kwesi Sinclair had been cavaliers saviour after early wickets threatened to dethrone them.

Next Sunday sees the Vincy C.C. playing the Vikings at 10 A.M. whilst the afternoon game at 2 P.M. sees the New Testament Church of God face Virgin Gorda.