A stroke-filled innings of 81 not out by 15-year-old Tacky High School student Jordan Pinnock paced Mango Valley to an easy 120-run victory over United All-Stars to highlight the start of the Sandals and Costley Construction-sponsored St Mary T20 Blast at Boscobel Oval on Sunday.

In the feature match of the day Highgate thumped the highly fancied Buff Bay United by 84 runs.

On a cool, overcast morning young Pinnock, who is a member of the St Mary Youth Cricket Academy and who participated in the Jamaica Cricket Association Under-15 trials earlier this year, blasted his way to a commanding half-century. The teenager hit a wide array of strokes and had spectators cheering.

Batting first against the youthful United Stars aggregation, Mango Valley rattled up 194 for 7, with Pinnock ably supported by Orlando Roye who made a well-played 25. Bowling for United All Stars, McGreechy Betton took 2 for 36 to record the best figures for his team.

In their turn at the crease United All Stars were routed for a paltry 74, with Joseph Daley top-scoring with 34 against Rolando Staple who took 3 for 33. Pinnock captured two wickets for no runs.

In the feature, Highgate smashed 218 for 6 in their knock — with Paul Phipps leading the way with a measured 63 — while Johnaigne Standford chipped in with a solid 55. Bowling for Buff Bay Kevon Baugh took 4 for 44 and was the pick of the bowlers.

In their innings Buff Bay United never seriously threatened the imposing total and laboured to chalk up 134 for 8 off their 20 overs, with Baugh the main scorer on 34.

Bowling for Highgate, Okeith Broderick bagged 2 for 17.

Both opening matches were in Division 2 of the newly formatted competition which will see the top two Division 2 teams qualifying for the play-off eliminator against the bottom 2 in Division 1.

Wain Lynch, competition director and assistant treasurer of the St Mary Cricket Association, was pleased with the overall standard of play.

“We were happy with the performances, especially with the quality of the batsmen, and we are looking forward to more exciting cricket as we progress round by round

The competition continues on Sunday with two matches at the Boscobel venue.

In Division 2, Highgate are to oppose United All-Stars in the opening match at 9: 30 am while in the feature at 1:30 pm in Division 1, highly fancied Days Mountain tackle a confident Port Maria.