St. John’s Antigua- Diamonds International Police and Harney Motors Mahico opened their Antigua Commercial Bank, Sir Vivian Richards, and American Airlines Thursday League Cricket Competition campaign with victories.

Playing in the four-team tournament, Police beat Pigotts by 18 runs at Pigotts.

Batting first, Police tallied 154 for nine wickets from their 30 overs. Austin Richards Jr hit 39; Bertel Baltimore and Kelvin Bowens scored 23 each; Anthony “I Roots” Martin had 22, and Jamaul Fernandez, 21.

Pigotts’ Stephan “Tower” Matthew took two wickets for 19 and Kadeem Phillip had two for 32.

In reply, the Pigotts team fell 18 runs short as they were bowled out for 139 runs in 27.4 overs.

Sylvester “Bouncing” Joseph smashed 67 not out and Matthew added 36. Vincent Shadrach Jr of Police did the damage by picking up four scalps for 10 runs.

In the other match played at Factory Ground, defending champions Mahico defeated Bolans by six wickets.

Taking the crease first, Bolans amassed 170 runs off their 30 overs, with Neil “Bad News” Lewis hitting 43, Gavin Williams, 43, Orlando Peters, 20, and Lornell Samuel, 21.

Bowling for Mahico, Vaughn “Hungry” Walsh claimed two for 17.

In reply, Mahico reached 172 for six off 27.4 overs. Ridley Jacobs hit 65 not out, Mali Richards, 36, and Alva Joseph, 33.

The competition continues next Thursday, May 3. (By Vanroy Burnes)