Dominica got a winning start to the WIPA Twenty20 cricket series yesterday evening when they defeated Jamaica's Melbourne by 28 runs at Guaracara Park.

Batting first, Dominica compiled 145 for six off their 20 overs and then restricted Melbourne to 117 all out in 18.5 overs as the Jamaicans tumbled to their second consecutive loss.

Dominica found the going easy en route to posting a challenging total.

he hard-hitting Tyrone Theophile got the top score of 40.

He was ably supported by Martin Matthew, who posted a quick-fire 36 and Vincent Casimir (24).

Bowling for Melbourne, who had lost their opening match Friday night to Barbadian club Maple, Damian Jacobs was the pick of the attack taking two for 28, while Yannick Elliot was also in fine form taking two for 30.

Meaningful challenge

Set 146 to win at 7.30 runs per over, Melbourne found the going tough and could not mount a meaningful challenge as they lost wickets at regular intervals.

Andre McCarthy played a solid innings of 40, but the Jamaica limited overs champions slipped to defeat again.

Donovan Pagon looked good while he was at the crease but after racing to 27, his innings was cut short and his side's winning hopes declined sharply.

Fast bowler Mervyn Matthew was the star of the show for Dominica, taking three for 14, while Fernix Thomas (3-16) and Raymond Casimir (3-23) also proved difficult to handle.

In the second game later Sunday night, T&T's Queen's Park CC were facing Maple.