LAST year’s runners-up University of the West Indies Pelicans defeated hosts Mico University College, 4-1, in a men’s match on Tuesday as the Inter-Collegiate table tnnis competition got underway.

In individual results, Dexter Smith outplayed Kasa-Wade Haughton, 10-12, 11-4, 11-6 13-11 (3-1); Darrell Gordon overpowered Obrien Henry, 11-7, 11-9, 11-5 (3-0), and Saeed Thomas trounced Adrian Thompson, 11-1, 11-6, 11-4 (3-0) in singles matches.

Smith and Gordon crushed Henry and McNell Ross, 11-7, 11-6, 11-9 (3-0) in doubles for UWI’s four victories.

Ross outlasted Trevaughn Allayne, 11-7, 10-12, 7-11, 11-9, 11-7 (3-2), to pull one back for Mico.

Five men’s teams and four women’s teams have entered this year’s competition which will be played on Thursdays for the next six weeks.

Men’s and women’s teams are entered from UTech, UWI, GC Foster College and Excelsior, while Mico have entered a men’s team.

UTech are the defending men’s champions while UWI are the defending women’s champions.