Bushy Park/Church Pen off and running in the SDC T20 competition

Bushy Park/Church Pen made hay while the sun shone as the inclement weather that factored throughout the day failed to prevent them from chalking up an opening win at the start of the parish phase of the Cal's sponsored Social Development Commission (SDC) National Twenty20 (T20) competition at Chedwin Park yesterday.

In the opening fixture, Bushy Park/Church Pen won with a faster run rate over Ewarton Slazenger, with Bushy Park/Church Pen asked to take the first strike, posting 194 for four in their allotted 20 overs.

Mario Davis led the scoring with 43 runs, supported by Marshall March, who chipped in with 31, and former Jamaica wicketkeeper/batsman Keith Hibbert with 30. Sheldon Dale was the best bowler for Ewarton Slazenger, bagging two wickets for 20 runs.

In reply, Slazenger set a revised target of 127 in 13 overs, were in a spot of bother at 45 for nine and staring down a heavy defeat before the rain returned to end the contest.

Elvis O'Connor was the chief destroyer for Bush Park/Church Pen as he picked up three wickets for 10 runs. Hibbert, bowling his fast off-breaks, took two wickets for one run and was on a hat trick at one stage.

National left-arm spinner Jeavor Royal was also in the action as he bagged two wickets in one over to finish with two for six runs.

The second game of the double-header between Greater Portmore and Old Harbour Cricket Club was called off because of a wet outfield.

In the meantime, field supervisor for SDC in St Catherine, Lloyd Erskine, is glad his entity has continued the 16th-year staging of the ever-popular T20 competition.

"We have gotten a lot of results from this competition, and sports within the SDC is one of the tools we use to generate energy and break down barriers within communities. It is all about good wholesome fun and bringing people together," Erskine said.

The winners in this year's SDC T20 tournament will receive $1.5 million with trophies and other special awards, while the runners-up receive $750,000. The third place will receive $375,000, and the fourth place $187,500.

The winning parish will receive $120,000 and a trophy, the runner-up parish $60,000 and the third-place parish $30,000.