Man of the Match McTair James smashed an unbeaten 89 to send the Vincy off on a winning start to the defense of the Flow Superfast, A.O. Shirley Shield title. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

RTW Captain Austin McDowall is clean bowled to all but end the chase against the Vincy. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Joel Williams, with 45, gave RTW hopes of getting off to a famous win as they began life in the Premier League. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Alvin Africa 'gone' as the VG Spartans scratched their way to 157 against the Vikings in Division One. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Sam Malpass notched 30 to steady the Vikings run chase after the early loss of Vishal Munesar. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Ken Alphonso combined with Roshan Hushman to guide the Vikings to victory. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

With intermittent showers and gusty winds punctuating the day, cricket returned to East End with excitement and in some style as Division One play got the 2017 season underway.

The VG Spartans, batting first against the relegated Vikings, put up a spirited display against the Vikings, but ultimately fell to a 6-wicket defeat as their opponents reached the target of 158 for the loss of 4 wickets.

The Spartans rattled up a below par total of 157-9 and were indebted to being anywhere near a defendable total by 48 not out from Brian Matthew batting at number 10 and Kevin Silchand, who reached an unbeaten 20 batting at number 11.

The pair put on 59 for the last wicket and batted 8 overs to deny the Vikings a much easier run chase.

Vaden Walker took 3-18 to be the pick of the Vikings bowlers.

In reply, Silchand deceived Vishal Manesar with a slower ball early on, Sam Malpass batted well for 30 and then Ken Alphonso, 30 not out and Roshan Hushman, caught Akeem Hendrikson, bowled Matthews for 37, put the game to bed, before the winning runs came with 5 overs to spare.

Vincy CC dispose of RTW CC

All eyes and a large crowd then focused on the defending 2016 Champions, the Vincy CC who were taking on RTW CC, who won Division One in some style last year.

The Vincy were asked to bat first by Premier League new comers, RTW CC and amassed 250 from their 20 overs, led by Man of the Match, McTair James, who smashed his way to an unbeaten 89.

James shared in partnerships of 96 with Kenrick Leslie, who scored 61 and 51 with Captain Brent Defreitas. His innings included 8 boundaries and 8 maximums and his half century took just 23 balls.

Steve Liburd (48) and Leslie combined for a 74-run partnership for the second wicket to set the Vincy up for a total which should have proved more testing than it turned out.

Curtis Jack finished with 3-63.

At the half way point in the chase, RTW were ahead of the game at 105-2, but the loss of Jack for 35, bowled James, in the 10^th over and Joel Williams, bowled Earl Prescott for 45, in the 14^th, put the brakes on the RTW response.

Roy Caine added some late pyrotechnics on his way to 30, but the Vincy remained in control, restricting RTW to 218 – 7 and recording a 31-run victory.

James finished with 3-44 to round out his match winning performance and Prescott, 2-37.

On Sunday February 5, 2017 the first game at 10.00am is between the BVI U19 Youth team and the Island Stars. That is followed at 2:00 P.M. by the Cavaliers against Royal Knights.