We won the toss and had no hesitation in batting to ease into our season. Openers Scott Hulbert (3) and Sam Harrison (1) found the newly laid surface a little slow coming onto the bat and both spooned catches back to fielders infront of the wicket.

So at 2/12 we were looking shaky but had talent lining up to bat. Julian Hulbert slotted into at number 3 forcing out of retirement has-been Bruce Mills to reluctantly bat at four and together they slowly seen off the new ball and took control of the innings.

Jules despatched all bowlers to all parts of the field to make a debut century with proud dad Maurie getting a birds eye view from the umpiring position. Good stuff!

Together they put on 184 before fatigue set in when the has-been got an inside edge onto his stumps and fell 2 short of his century.

Louis Balenzano then came to the crease and was fired lbw reluctantly by father Paul with the score on 4/196.Jack Casey then joined Jules and looked solid before he too spooned one up off the slow surface and went for a pleasing 12 with the score on 5/238.

Billy Mills then joined Jules and went on the search for quick runs for a declaration to add 27 before Jules went lbw for 128, with the score at 6/265.Billy was next to go for 6 and then new recruit Andy "chris murphy" Munro had a brief bat with Dale Leslie until we declared at 8/266 off 49 overs.A great team batting performance with all the young kids showing great maturity against there senior opposition.

We then bowled 18 overs to the Colts batsmen who were content on seeing out the day without loss so we rotated our bowlers and managed to snare 2 wickets for 28 runs. All bowlers were understandable a little rusty and at times off line with the pick of the crop being Louis 2/6 and Andy 0/1 off 3.We now have 64 overs next week to get 8 wickets and continue our confident start to the season.

PS...Ex-Australian schoolboy rugby league player Maurice Hulbert was like a gazelle behind the stumps - worth the admission alone - remember to fill the beer tin Maurice!!!!!