KIRK GIBSON wrote his name forever in Barbados' cricket history, when he became the first batsman to hit a hundred in the first ever national Twenty20 competition yesterday.

Gibson crashed 13 fours and seven sixes in 109 from 50 balls to lead Carib Beer Carlton to a six-wicket victory over Guardian General Barbados Youth in the opening round of matches in the Sagicor General-sponsored competition at Cane Garden.

Chasing 177 for victory from their allocation of 20 overs, Carlton lost Vonrick Nurse to the third ball of their innings, but Gibson's big hitting and a workmanlike 36 from 44 balls by Kevin Ramsey in a 145-run second-wicket stand made things safe for Carlton.

Earlier, Jamal Layne was the topscorer for Barbados Youth with an unbeaten 67 from 55 balls. Jason Holder supported with 59 from 37 balls.

Layne and Holder added 112 for the fourth wicket to rescue the youths after being 17 for three.

AT THE BREWERY: CGI Maple enjoyed a sensational two-run victory over Banks.

Set 157 and needing 12 off the last over, Banks only mustered nine with Sherwin Campbell finishing unbeaten on 22 and Keegan Alleyne two.

They looked on course when Carlos Brathwaite, who made 33 – including five fours and one six – from 14 balls, and Jonathan Carter were fully entrenched with a second-wicket stand of 53 in 4.3 overs. Carter hit 26, including one four and two sixes, at better than a run-a-ball, but both he and Brathwaite fell in quick succession.

Dale Brathwaite and Kofie Hurdle contributed 30 and 27 respectively.

Earlier, Maple were dismissed in the final over. Khalid Springer struck 42 from 33 balls that was spiced with three fours and two sixes as he and Barrington Yearwood (19) added 55 for the sixth wicket.

Opener Renaldo Parris set the tempo with 40 from 23 balls including seven fours. Leg-spinner Tariq Hoyte bagged four for 22.

AT WILDEY: Fast bowler Fabian Cox shocked Wanderers with three wickets in his first over, which inspired Cable and Wireless to victory over their visitors by 76 runs.

Ron Bates gave Cable & Wireless a flying start by striking 20 runs off the second over bowled by Renee Greaves. Bates made 56, including nine fours and one six, from 29 balls.

He was second out when the score was 78 in the eighth over. Captain Courtney Browne got 20 from 14 balls to help Cable & Wireless to 143 for nine off their allotted overs.

Wanderers never got into the chase due to the early setbacks by the Cable & Wireless bowlers, and surrendered for a paltry 67.

Please see also Page 23.