Bailey's Bay and North Village both tasted defeat on their return to the Evening Cricket League, but remained upbeat, as the 2022 season got under way with two matches on Monday night after heavyweights Renegades and Tuff Dogs eased into the final of last year's delayed knockout.

West XI rebounded from a knockout defeat against Tuff Dogs two days earlier by beating Bay ― who last played in the league in 2016 ― by five wickets in group one at Sea Breeze Oval.

De Wicketest, thrashed by CV Chargers last week in the first round of the knockout, got their season up and running by defeating Village by 45 runs at Shelly Bay in group two.

Lorenzo Simmons, the captain, made 31 and Devonne Simmons 27 in Bay's 15-over total of 102 for nine, but despite the captain taking three for 15 and Phillip Burgess two for 18, West XI replied with 109 for five, romping home with three overs to spare thanks largely to newcomer Jan-Johan Nel's 34-ball unbeaten 48.

Lorenzo Simmons said: "It's good to be back. We enjoyed ourselves and are looking to be competitive."

Openers Logan Phillips and Paul Carr laid the foundation for De Wicketest's 127 for two, stroking 58 and 41 respectively, before Village ― back after a two-year break ― were restricted to 82 for five in their 16 overs in reply with Eric Dunkley making top score of 38.

Rico Wells was the pick of De Wicketest's attack, taking two for 14 from his four overs.

"It was a nice way to bounce back after our knockout defeat to Chargers," Justin Brookes, De Wicketest's regular captain who sat out the game, said.

He added: "Logan and Paul got us off to a good start with some great batting and then Rico and Paul bowled very well, not allowing Village to get close to the required rate."

Andrew Griffith, the Village captain, said: "Everyone was happy to be playing again and it was just as much for the cricket as the camaraderie."

He said 15-year-old Saqui Robinson ― son of former Cup Match all-rounder Sammy Robinson, who led De Wicketest in Brookes's absence, and Naquita Robinson, the national women's football coach ― was drafted in at the last minute to face his father and was unlucky not to claim a wicket.

"He is a remarkably talented youngster. We let him bowl the maximum four overs and he was our best bowler. He should have got at least two wickets, but our fielders let him down and dropped catches," added Griffith.

Jayde Albertze smashed an unbeaten 76 as Renegades beat CV Chargers by nine wickets with three balls to spare in Saturday's first knockout semi-final at Shelly Bay.

Chargers, who opted to bat, posted 126 for five with Matty Watson, the new captain, following up his 41 against De Wicketest with an unbeaten 68.

Tuff Dogs overhauled West XI ― ten-wicket winners over defending champions The Associates in the first round ― by six wickets with eight balls to spare in the other semi-final.

Jeet Singh hit a breezy 35 not out off 20 balls in West XI's 104 for four, Andre "Doc" Manders taking two for 28, but Tuff Dogs overpowered their opponents, opener McLaren Lowe making 33 and newcomer Daniel Legall 20 not out, to book their place in this Saturday's final against Renegades at Shelly Bay, starting at 2pm.

Group one

Sea Breeze Oval (West XI won toss): Bailey’s Bay 102-9 (15 overs; Lorenzo Simmons 31); West XI 108-5 (12 overs; Jan-Johan Nel 48 not out; Lorenzo Simmons 3 for 15). West XI beat Bailey’s Bay by five wickets.

Group two

Shelly Bay (De Wicketest won toss): De Wicketest 127-2 (16 overs; Logan Phillips 58, Paul Carr 41); North Village 82-5 (16 overs; Eric Dunkley 38). De Wicketest beat North Village by 45 runs.