Defending champions St Elizabeth Technical (STETHS), as well as beaten finalists, Vere Technical, easily advanced to the second round as the new season of the Grace/ISSA Rural Schools Limited Overs cricket competition bowled off yesterday.

STETHS, who have won the competition for the last five years, easily won by 10 wickets while Vere, who have made it twice to the finals, had a resounding 218-run win over Bustamante.

Sent to take first strike in the 35-over affair, Newell posted 81 in 20 overs. The major damage was done by spin through the combination of captain Brian Gayle (3 for 3) and Roshane Manning (4 for 6).

Openers Odane McCatty (54) and Kerry Holness (22) then made light work of the target in 6.1 overs.

Vere takes first strike

Vere were similarly ruthless taking first strike at their home ground in Vernamfield to post an impressive 303 for 3. Opener Rohan Ferguson slammed 135 not out with other contributions coming from Rojeiah Morgan (47), Ryan Barrett (33) and captain Fabian Allen (30).

Allen, a current national youth representative, then bagged figures of 3 for 3 off three overs and four balls to undermine the Bustamante challenge. Vere will now play the winners of the Zone D game between Holmwood Technical and DeCarteret College.