The Patriots, who were comprehensively beaten by Jamaica Tallawahs on the opening night of the competition, were seen off by seven wickets, with the Royals finding their way to their 150-run target with one ball shy of five overs to spare
St Kitts: St Kitts & Nevis Patriots 149-8, Barbados Royals 150-3
St Kitts & Nevis Patriots' title defence is in serious danger of collapse after just two days of the new Caribbean Premier League season following another emphatic loss, this time at the hands of Barbados Royals.
The Patriots, who were comprehensively beaten by Jamaica Tallawahs on the opening night of the competition, were seen off by seven wickets, with the Royals finding their way to their 150-run target with one ball shy of five overs to spare at Warner Park.
St Kitts & Nevis had earlier scrambled their way to 149 for 8, built almost in its entirety on Andre Fletcher, who scored 81 at the top of the innings.
St Kitts & Nevis Patriots have lost each of their first two CPL matches in 2022 [CPL/Getty Images]
Fletcher crashed 11 fours and a six in his 55-ball stay, but received next to no support from his teammates, with only opening partner Joshua da Silva reaching double figures.
Teddy Bishop was the most economical of the Barbados bowlers, returning figures of 1 for 19 from three overs, while Ramon Simmonds and Jason Holder both took two wickets
It would have required a considerably disciplined bowling display for the Patriots to give themselves a chance. Instead, the Royals ran away with the contest.
Barbados Royals got off the mark with a win at Warner Park [CPL/Getty Images]
Rahkeem Cornwall and Kyle Mayers put on 64 in 6.2 overs to set the tone, and Mayers continued to deposit the Patriots attack all over Warner Park on his way to 73 from 46 deliveries.
The allrounder could not see the game home, but the damage had already been done by the time he was dismissed by Dwayne Bravo - with only five runs required from 35 balls.
The Patriots - who are having to make do without the injured Dominic Drakes and Sri Lanka allrounder Wanindu Hasaranga, who is at the Asia Cup - will desperately be hoping for an upturn in form when they next take to the field, against Trinbago Knight Riders on Saturday.
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