City United, Thornton Park and Western Suburbs all started their 2015-2016 season campaigns with victory on Saturday.
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City won a grand final replay against title holders Northern Suburbs at Lorn Park, Wests accounted for Kurri Weston at Coronation Oval and Thornton beat Eastern Suburbs at East Maitland Park.
All three were comfortable wins and secured a valuable six competition points early in the summer.
Raymond Terrace had the bye.
NORTHERN SUBURBS v
CITY UNITED
A late change of venue had no impact on last season’s minor premiers City United, who fought back for a 90-run triumph over Northern Suburbs.
Top-dressing completed at Robins Oval late last week forced the switch to Lorn Park and early on it looked like home ground advantage was playing into Norths’ hands.
The visitors were 4-21 and then
7-94 before No.9 Nick Bower inspired a lower-order surge.
The former Maitland player of the year notched up a well-deserved half century and steered his team to a competitive 9-209 at the end of 50 overs.
This included an unbeaten 51-run last wicket partnership between the left-arm orthodox spinner and opening bowler Ethan Mann.
In reply, Norths started well, with Michael Wilson top scoring on 41, but faded away toward the latter part of their innings.
Off-spinner Blake Chandler came on and took 4-5 inside three overs for City after left-arm paceman Tim Carrall returned for figures of 3-28.
New City recruit Kerryn Ball, who was granted a clearance from former club Kurri Weston on Friday night, took 3-42 and scored 24.
Norths all-rounder Lincoln Mills made 21 after securing 3-54 with the ball.
WESTERN SUBURBS v KURRI WESTON
With the burden of captaincy no longer his, Tom Irwin guided the Plovers to a seven-wicket triumph over the Warriors at home on Saturday.
Irwin top scored for the hosts with 84 and had support from Luke Merchant (49), Aaron Mahony (33 not out) and Michael Rees (30) in reaching the required total of 217 just three wickets down at Coronation Oval.
Earlier in the day Rees (2-32) and opening bowler Mitch Fisher (2-17) took two wickets apiece.
The rest were shared between Tom Rumble, Luke Kealy, Riley Harrison, Rob Whieldon and skipper Andrew Trappel.
The Plovers claimed the last seven wickets for 30 runs after Kurri Weston had been poised to pounce at 3-186.
Jack Bennett made 87, Jake Gordon ended up 51 on his return and skipper Tyler Power scored 33 at the top of the order.
EASTERN SUBURBS v THORNTON PARK
Jono Gabriel and English import Jolyan May have helped Thornton Park to 130-run success against the Griffins at East Maitland Park.
The Thunder pair combined for 109-run fifth wicket stand in reaching a total of 6-255 from the 50 overs.
Gabriel was unbeaten on 71 and May scored 50 on debut.
Chad Ryan (34) and Matt Gabriel (33) also chipped in. In reply Easts were all out for 125 inside 40 overs.
Chris Archer was the chief destroyer for Thornton taking 3-32. Jeremy Kirk (2-24) and Matt Thompson (2-18) also contributed.
TEAM OF THE ROUND
Jack Bennett - Kurri Weston
Tom Irwin - Western Suburbs
Jono Gabriel - Thornton Park
Jolyan May - Thornton Park
Nick Bower - City United
Luke Merchant - Western Suburbs
Kerryn Ball - City United
Lincoln Mills - Northern Suburbs
Blake Chandler - City United
Tim Carrall - City United
Chris Archer - Thornton Park
LADDER: City United 6 Thornton Park 6 Western Suburbs 6 Eastern Suburbs 1 Kurri Weston 1 Northern Suburbs 1 Raymond Terrace 0 Breakout Box 2
