BCB Academy put an early dent in Tuff Dogs’ hopes of a fifth successive Evening Cricket League title by beating the champions by six wickets with two balls to spare at Shelly Bay.

But Tuff Dogs have bounced back with wins over KPMG and West XI.

The early pace, after the start of the remodelled 16-overs-a-side league was delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic, has been set by the Academy, The Associates and Renegades, who have each won their first two games, the Academy earlier beating High Flyaz by seven wickets.

Renegades have posted the highest total so far — 140 for six — after openers Ryan Miller made 63 and Matthew Spencer 43 in their 30-run win over West XI.

CV Chargers, second-tier champions last season, beat their closest rivals, PHC, by seven wickets in the season opener, Rowan Mclean leading the way within an unbeaten 62.

De Wicketest’s Shawn Loving turned in the most productive bowling figures of four for 37, but came in a losing cause against PHC.

Terence Corday, captain of Tuff Dogs, was impressed by BCB Academy’s performance.

“The Under-19s beat us and played very well, and had some quality seamers, and a few surprisingly good bats.

“It was a well-deserved victory on their part and I hope they continue to put out a strong team.” He added: “The Associates look very strong again and Renegades look to be tough also.

“Both PHC and CV Chargers, who would have been the promoted teams, look solid with PHC having a bunch of retired BCB players and CV Chargers boasting some quality younger players.”

The league — which normally features seven teams in each of two divisions — has been reduced to one of 11 after St George’s, North Village and Bad Byes pulled out.

Corday, who is also the league spokesman, attributed their withdrawal to a combination of factors — “Covid, financial and lack of players due to people leaving the island”.

KPMG have taken over the sponsorship of the old Deloitte team.

The play-off format for the season-ending knockout is not yet cast in stone, according to Corday, but is likely to feature the top six teams.