All teams were depleted due to the school holidays, however both games were competitive and played in good spirit.

On the turf wicket last season’s premiers Nymagee started the defence of their title against Atlas Copco/Golfy 2 who were themselves defending the Bert Oldfield Cup.

Nymagee won the toss and batted first, making a total of 180 from 44.2 overs.

Captain Jade Buckman and Roger Mitchell set up the good score with an opening partnership of 76 (Mitchell scoring 34 and Buckman top-scoring with 40).

Other batting of note was Travis Buckman with 32, Chris Gilbert with 31 and Phil Harley 18.

Best bowling for Atlas Copco/Golfy 2 was Jake Harbison with four for 31, Damien Harbison two for 19 and Rhys Power taking three for 34 with his off-spin bowling.

In reply Atlas Copco/Golfy 2 were dismissed for 77 off only 21 overs. Captain Jake Harbison led by example, capping off a good all- round performance top-scoring with 38, the only other score in double figures being Sundries 10.

Best bowling for Nymagee came from young Mitch Shields taking three for five from four overs in his first match for Nymagee.

Other bowling of note was Chris Barnett with three for 18 and Wade Smith two for five.

It is only to be expected that players would be rusty in the first game of the season but the Atlas Copco/Golfy 2 team let themselves down with a poor fielding performance, dropping at least 10 catches.

In the other game Ox Colts won the toss and batted first against RSL on the synthetic wicket and were dismissed for 122 from 36 overs.

No batsmen were able to settle in against some good tight line-and-length bowling from the RSL bowlers.

Captain Stewart Fraser top- scored with 18, David Watson made 17, Stephen Nicholson 13 and Mark Fraser 10.

Best bowling for RSL was Wade Potter four for 23 from 10 overs, Shane Munro two for 24 and Clay Neale two for 22.