Hillgrove held on to begin their 2019-20 first grade season with a win when they faced Guyra in Saturday's round one clash.
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Last season's runners-up were in control early on with openers Matt Baillie and Matt Schaefer racking up a partnership of 126 before Baillie departed on 66.
Schaefer was then dismissed for 61 and things started to go wrong for Hillgrove. Fifteen-year-old Sam Johnson was caught on 15, then newcomer Patrick Rankmore left on five and experienced batman Brad King was dismissed for six.
Andrew Brownlie stabilised the innings with 47 and Max Laurie contributing with 17 as Hillgrove were all out for 249.
Guyra's Matt Finlay picked up 5-33 from his nine overs in a standout match for him.
"We batted really well, Bails and Schaef opened and scored really well," Hillgrove president Dick Heagney said.
"A bit of a downfall in the middle order but then Brownlie consolidated again which was good, pulled us out of jail."
Guyra's run chase didn't go to plan initially either with Shane Wolfenden dismissed on 10 and fellow opener Brandon Landsborough bowled by Laurie for four.
BJ Cameron and Finlay steadied their innings with 45 and 48 respectively before Demielle Landsborough smacked 73 runs with eight fours and three sixes.
The match came down to the wire before Hillgrove managed to finish Guyra off for 232.
"Then we bowled really well, I think we only had five wides which was good," Heagney said.
"Sean Skinner and Max led from the front, Schaef cleaned up the tail which was good."