Mandeville Thunders secured their first victory in the Jamaica Cricket Association (JCA) Jamaica Premier League (JPL) Twenty20 tournament when they thrashed University Dynamites by 47 runs at Melbourne Cricket Oval yesterday.

A 74-run sixth-wicket partnership between Gary Graham and Jamie Merchant led the Thunders to a daunting total from their allotted overs, before restricting the Dynamites to 129.

Scores: Mandeville Thunders 177-6 (20 overs); University Dynamites 129-8 (20 overs).

Mandeville Thunders won the toss and took first strike and were left reeling at 65 for five. But Graham and Merchant came together and went about business to bring their team back into the game.

Graham (66) led the onslaught hitting 11 fours and one six, while Merchant (49) slammed four fours and four sixes. Medium-pacer Christopher Powell led the bowling with four for 25 from his four overs.

The University Dynamites in their reply failed to get going and were eventually restricted to a below par total. Ravmon Powell (36) and Cassius Burton Jr (29) were the best scorers against Odaine McCatty’s four for 21, and Krishmar Santokie two for 25.

Meanwhile, Spanish Town Titans extended their lead atop the standings when they defeated Kingston Hurricanes by six wickets in the first game of the double-header at the venue.

Scores: Kingston Hurricanes 113 all out (18 overs); Spanish Town Titans 119-4 (14 overs).

It was obvious that the Hurricanes were missing their senior players, as they were bundled over for a paltry 113, after losing the toss and being asked to bat first. Kedar Brown (29) and Fabian Allen (21) were the only batsmen to offer any resistance.

Gavan Brown, three for 24, led the Titans bowling attack, while Odean Brown and Bevon Brown (no relation) ended with two wickets each.

In reply, the Titans led by a top-score of 46 by captain Danza Hyatt easily surpassed their target with six overs to spare. Hyatt’s knock, which included seven boundaries, was well supported by Peat Salmon, who was not out on 23.

At Ultimate Sports Ground in St Elizabeth, defending champions MoBay Sixers returned to winning ways when they scored a four-wicket victory over Ocho Rios Chargers in a rain-affected encounter.

Scores: Ocho Rios Chargers 121-5 (17 overs); Mobay Sixers 122-6 (15.3 overs).

The competition continues today with games at Chedwin Park in St Catherine and Manley Horne Oval in St Elizabeth.