By DAHALIA SMITH, NG Sports Reporter, dahalia@nasguard.com

Lee Melville and the defending Bahamas Cricket Association (BCA) Champions, Dynasty Cricket Club, kicked off the 2008 season with a bang on Saturday, registering their first win over Scotiabank Paradise at Windsor Park. The highlight of the season opener, a rematch of last year's championship, was Melville's batting as he registered 106 runs in 109 minutes enroute to a 128-run victory for his club.

In the end, Dynasty totaled 324 runs all out in 47.4 overs while Scotiabank amassed 196 runs for the loss of five wickets in 46 overs. Included in Melville's century, were 12 fours and two sixes. Teammate Renford Davson recorded 48 runs, inclusive of 12 fours.

Melville also delivered an outstanding performance in the bowling department, as he took two wickets. Jaram Mangra also took two wickets in the win for Dynasty. Leading last year's runners-up, Scotiabank, in the loss were Gary Bell and Gary Armstrong, who totaled 62 and 56 runs respectively. Included in Bell's total, were seven fours while Armstrong had nine fours and two sixes.

Bowling for Scotiabank were Bell and Gregory Irving, who took three and two wickets respectively.

After the game, Melville noted: "I feel great about my batting performance today. Seeing as I am training with the national team, it is paying off in the regular season. I must say thanks to national coach John Welch who has been getting us into shape for this season. Welch has been instrumental in teaching us the fundamentals of the game.

"I had a few centuries before in my career. This hundred today marked my third one playing in the league. Even though I made a century, I need to credit it to Renford Davson because his innings really set the foundation that allowed me to perform at a good level. Registering a century in this match, in particular, was significant because I made it playing against my former team Scotiabank. I was on that team two years ago."

This year the BCA decided to relocate its venue from Haynes Oval to the newly renovated oval located at Windsor Park.

"Also, playing at this new venue is very good," added the season opener's Most Valuable Player. "The grounds are very suitable for playing and the atmosphere is also good."

Meanwhile, winning coach Courtney Waddell told The Nassau Guardian: "We began training for this season about five weeks ago. This season however we want to focus more on developing the younger players on the team and give them as mush exposure as possible. It is for this reason that young Jonathan was listed as the opening batsman today. Overall, it was a good start to the season. Our top priority this year is to go unbeaten. We got off to a good start so hopefully we will be able to maintain this."

Losing coach Mark Butler, on the other hand, said his team has to devise plans to end the team's 0-3 losing streak against Dynasty.

"Last season Dynasty defeated us three times, twice during the regular season and then in the championship. So, one of our goals this year is get wins over them," said Butler.