Kingston and St Andrew wicketkeeper Shane Harris (back to camera) celebrates the dismissal of Jamaica Masters batsman Cleveland Davidson (left), during the Red Stripe Championship Twenty/20 cricket match at Chedwin Park. – Ian Allen, Photographer

Apart from some of the most inventive and ferocious slugging, explosive bowling and committed fielding displays seen anywhere, the recently concluded Red Stripe Twenty20 cricket tournament also provided a rare opportunity for the less fancied teams and players in the island to test their skills against the bigger names in the game.

The competition served up several plots and sub-plots of traditional underdogs upsetting the cricketing status quo, with the likes of Senior Cup contenders Kingston and St Andrew Titans and former Super League 'beating sticks', the Hanover Dolphins, surprising many throughout the six-week tournament.

The Titans, against all odds, recorded wins against the likes of Police and a Jamaica Masters team that boasted several former regional and international cricketing greats, on their way to the quarter-finals where they lost, ironically, to the Dolphins.

The Titans' player/coach, Gary Pink, is still in a vibrant mood following his team's unexpected progress and is already looking forward to featuring in next year's edition.

"It was a great experience for myself and all the players. My team enjoyed it a lot, especially knowing that we came into the competition as an underdog and we managed to make it to the quarter-finals," said Pink.

"We are happy to have a competition like this here in Jamaica, it is great for the game and we are already looking forward to next season."

Pink pointed out that his players have gathered a lot from the competition, having faced some of the best players in the game, and that it has served as an impetus towards their preparation for next season.

"My players benefited a lot from the experience playing against some tough players and managing to do so well. It has helped to get them in the right frame of mind and motivate them a lot going into our upcoming season," Pink shared.

Despite having a miserable Super League season, the Hanover Dolphins showed enterprising play en route to the semi-finals, where they lost by two wickets to eventual champions St Catherine.

Manager Carlton Simpson insisted that he was not surprised by his team's performance, despite their Super League relegation, and is in fact looking to go one better in next year's championship.

"I was not surprised by my team," said Simpson. "They have been playing together for a while and are always improving.

"We need more of this (Twenty20). It is exciting and it helps to get the players alert and sharp. We are already looking forward to next season and we hope to do better and make the finals."

Jamaica Masters batsman Jimmy Adams sweeps as Kingston and St Andrew Titans wicketkeeper, Shane Harris, react during the Red Stripe Twenty20 cricket match at Chedwin Park. - Ian Allen/Photographer

Hanover Dolphins players make their way off the field after beating Kingston and St Andrew in the Red Stripe Twenty20 Cricket Championship quarter-final at Alpart Sports Club, Nain, St Elizabeth. - photo by George Henry