THE low-scoring start to the season has been turned on its head by an action-packed clash between Mahe Kings and Luckstars, which saw the 'Kings take the honours after a high-scoring thriller.

Following a dismal first outing against Vijay in which they were all out for 46, Mahe Kings found their feet to hammer their way to a 201 scoreline. In reply, Luckstars reduced to eight men by work commitments, battled on to 168, 33 shy of their total, but with their pride intact.

Winning the toss, Luckstars' skipper Bertram Seneratne sent the 'Kings in to bat and launched the bowling, alongside a fired-up Chandre. Their early onslaught, however, failed to dent the opening bats of Ramesh Venkateshwaralu and Craig Hall, whose combined batting brilliance forged the Mahe Kings innings.

National team captain Ramesh was in near unstoppable form and hit the early season high of 81, while 'Kings' captain Hall, having suffered an early dismissal against Vijay, rediscovered his form of last season, powering his way to 67.

The rest of the innings presented easier pickings to the 'Stars bowlers, but Kadri, Shiva and Jimmy Joseph all found their way to double figure scores.

Working well as a team, the Luckstars' bowlers had spread the wickets evenly between them, but the top of the order runs piled on by Ramesh and Hall severely damaged their economy.

Bandula took 2 for 24, Seneratne 2 for 50 and Suranga 2 for 52. Chandre had been looking at 0 for 47, before claiming a rare 3 balls, 3 wickets hat-trick of Ramesh, Vijay and Santosh.

Behind the stumps, Flynn also had a good day with 5 stumpings.

With his team lacking three players and chasing almost 7 runs an over, Seneratne's side had it all to do.

Sulu opened the reply with Pat Flynn, but was walking, on 6, after an unfortunate run out. And when his replacement, Muditha, went for 0, the 'Stars looked set to crumble.

But Flynn was joined by Tim Horpinitch and the pair went on to make 76 between them. Flynn was dismissed on 26, caught by Vijay off Hall, while Horpinitch stuck to his task to claim a swift half century before Ramesh forced him to play into the hands of Joseph.

Bandula added 11 and both Suranga and Thusitha scored 14.

But when Seneratne and Chandre were left as last men chasing a further 38, the 'Stars hunt seemed over. The skipper hit 4 and Chandre 1, before being run out to close the innings.

Mahe Kings took the win, after an enthralling contest, with Luckstars, all out for 168, left to wonder what might have been had they been able to field a full strength team.

Of the 'Kings' bowlers, Vijay, Santosh and Hall each picked up 1 wicket, but with bowling figures of 3 for 31 and his inspired 81 off the bat, Ramesh was the undisputed choice for man-of-the-match.

The next match is an appetising meeting between Vijay and USAIM, as the season begins to warm up.