A Three Rivers and Watford CDG side, consisting of players selected from local clubs, lost by 20 runs against Barbadian side Empire on Thursday of last week.

The Empire side, boasting cricketing greats Sir Everton Weekes, Charlie Griffith and Seymour Nurse, also included seven players with first class cricket experience and one West Indian Test player, Ryan Hinds.

On a blustery and damp afternoon at West Herts Cricket Club’s Park Avenue, the local side dismissed their illustrious guests for 177.

Following a long delay for rain, a Duckworth Lewis-calculated target of 152 from 32 overs was set.

A strong start put the Three Rivers and Watford side in a healthy position but the class of the opposition soon told and despite a spirited run chase, the hosts fell 20 runs short to give Empire a winning start to their UK tour.