Colts Phelans delivered a tasty first look at their revamped batting lineup, proving too strong for Carisbrook in winning by 86 runs on Saturday at Hedges Oval.
Returning captain Rhys Egan opened the batting with Rhys Wagstaff, and together, the duo put on 28 runs in quick time before Parteek Singh landed the first wicket for Carisbrook this season, bowling Wagstaff for nine.
However, Egan, along with new English recruit Max Jackson, was able to push the pace continuously, giving the men in blue the impetus to push the run rate along throughout their innings.
Egan was playing some aggressive cricket, but was brought undone on 29 by top edging a ball to deep point, where Martin Mark took a difficult catch off the bowling of Atticus Cullinan.
Soon after, Cullinan had a second wicket, bowling Ben Evans for three, and at 3/73, the game was fairly evenly poised, but with Colts still warm favourites.
Colts were able to unleash their second Englishman at the crease, with Regan Goundry joining Jackson, and quickly, the duo were able to make inroads in pushing the score past 100 before the drinks break.
Goundry, however, was trapped in front by James Adam just prior to the break, out for 27.
Carisbrook also struck just after the lunch break too, with Cole Harris trapping Jackson in front for a well-made 38.
But Charlie Scorer — Colts’ third Englishman — was able to make hay on a good pitch, anchoring the rest of the innings.
He scored 52 and largely took charge of the final 20 overs, with Luke Tatchell providing some support in making nine, Harrison Kurzke making 16 and Dayne Baker scoring 13.
In the end, that allowed Colts to make 8/216 off their 40 overs.
Cullinan was supremely impressive off his seven overs, taking 3/49, while Harris took 2/43 off eight.
Carisbrook desperately needed a partnership if they were any chance of overhauling Colts with a relatively inexperienced batting lineup, but suffered a blow almost immediately, with Harris bowled by Nick Henderson for a duck.
Soon after, Mark was Henderson’s second victim, tickling a delivery to Tatchell behind the stumps, and Carisbrook were in immediate trouble at 2/10.
To their credit, however, the Brookers did knuckle down, and it was the work of Dean Nalder and William Coutts which allowed them to get into a part of a partnership.
Nalder, in particular, was doing much of the heavy lifting, and he would go on to carry his bat throughout the remainder of the innings.
Coutts was Scorer’s first wicket with the score on 55, with Coutts hitting a ball straight to Egan, and soon after Scorer would have another wicket, catching Cooper Mark off his own bowling.
Caleb Cluff was the next wicket, trapped in front for one by Baker, before Cullinan and Nalder were able to get the score past 100.
The partnership wasn’t able to last, as Evans took his first wicket to join the party, luring Cullinan into a shot to Tatchell behind the stumps for 11.
Adam provided some resistance before Colts reached the tail to make 12, but his wicket, trapped in front by Goundry, meant it was just a matter of time for Colts.
Mitch Stork (duck), Parteek Singh (two) and David Coomber (duck) were the final three wickets of the day, with Evans taking two more, and Goundry a second wicket, to seal Colts’ 86-run victory.
Nalder was terrific in remaining unbeaten on 63, adding to his recent terrific form on the Hedges Oval wicket after making a century there last season.
It was Colts’ day however, and Evans took 3/16 off 4.4 overs, while Henderson (2/25 off eight), Scorer (2/39 off eight) and Goundrey (2/12 off four) also contributed.
Colts now move on to a fascinating clash with Clunes next week, while Carisbrook host Laanecoorie Dunolly, playing in their first game of the season.