ST JAMES, Jamaica — Johns Hall Primary made a winning start to the defence of their Johns Hall/Jerry Reid Under-13 cricket title after beating Chetwood Primary by 10 wickets in the opening game played at Barnett Oval on Tuesday.

The second game between John Rollins Success and Cambridge Primary was rained out.

Ten schools, all from St James, are participating in the competition with the winners set to participate in an international youth competition in Houston, Texas later this year.

All 10 schools attended Tuesday’s opening ceremony where deputy Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Dwight Crawford, faced the ceremonial first ball.

The teams have been divided into two zones and the competition rules will see teams facing 25 overs in a limited overs format with each bowler restricted to five overs each.

Games will be played four days per week, Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays with the final expected to be played on June 13th.

On Tuesday, Johns Hall batted first and made 71 runs with Denroy Griffiths’ top scoring with 27 runs and Nickhayle Findlayson chipping in with 20.

In reply, Chetwood were bowled out for 63 runs with Timothy Thompson scoring seven runs.

Griffiths and Andre Kerr both took three wickets each.