Coming off the bye in round one, Hillgrove were ready to blow out the off-season cobwebs and put together a solid performance for their opening match. 

Hillgrove sent Easts in to bat first. Hillgrove’s bowling attack claimed the wickets of Easts’ opening batsmen before Todd Francis hit the top grade’s first century of the season with 106. 

Francis was the shining light for the reigning premiers who made 171 off their 40 overs. 

In Hillgrove’s innings, the top order batsmen were bowled out cheaply before Mitch Moore steadied the ship with 58. 

Josh Croft, Hugh Reeves and Richard Heagney kept the runs coming to steer the side to 172 with less than two overs remaining. 

Hillgrove captain Matt Baillie said the side stuck to a basic game plan which aimed to give them a healthy start to the season. 

"Hopefully that gives us a bit of confidence with the bat and we should be able to go well here on in with the batting order we have got,” he said

"Being one day cricket, I just wanted the boys to bowl tight, keep the extras down and even though there were a few extras bowled, we managed to keep them to a good total.

"Basically, what I wanted to get out of that game was a good innings out in the field and with the bat.

“We did that to an extent but there is some room for improvements and hopefully we can build on that and be a pretty tough team to beat.”

Hillgrove come up against City this Saturday at the sportsground who are coming off two wins from their two matches. 

Their bowling attack led by Karl Triebe is something Hillgrove are looking to combat. 

"I know that Karl Triebe has been bowling unbelievably,” Baillie said. 

"He is their spearhead of their bowling attack and if we can keep him wicketless in his first spell, at least, we should go alright. 

"The City guys have been bowling well so concentration at the top of the order is going to be key especially because we could be playing on some green wickets coming up into the next couple of weeks.” 

Easts have the bye.