It was a winning return to the North West Metropolitan Cricket Association George Lucsombe Shield for Gladstone Park.
Back in the top grade after a perfect season in the Vic Kyte Shield last season, the Burras faced the Preston Druids on Saturday.
After a couple of ground changes due to grounds not being ready, the game got underway at Jacana Reserve.
The Burras won the toss and decided to bat first. They lost a couple of quick wickets before steadying.
A 143 partnership between Lahiru Rajapakse and Bradley Fawcus set the innings up.
Both fell in quick succession, but the Burras were able to push the score up to 9-336.
Rajapakse top scored with 93 in an innings which included five fours and nine sixes.
The Druids pushed the run rate throughout and went at more than a run a ball.
In the end they ran out of balls and wickets, bowled out for 301 with four balls remaining.
Mukal Behal was the pick of the bowlers with 3-57.
Darebin Chargers and Buckley Park also got first round wins.
The Chargers were way too strong for Aberfeldie St Johns.
The Chargers made 9-275 from their 38 overs before bowling Aberfeldie St Johns out for 252.Damon Brohaska was the key in that innings, making 116.
Buckley Park came away with the points against Kealba-Green Gully.
The Cougars batted first, making 8-141 from their overs, after being 0-59.
Warren Kelly top scored with 35 at the top of the order.
Buckley Park made the runs with ease, with nearly 10 overs in hand. It finished 5-143.
It was all single wicket takers for the Cougars.
In other results, the Darebin Chargers and Gladstone Park both got wins.
This Saturday the Cougars will face the Darebin Chargers.
After a restructure of the competition, Hume and the Northern Lions top teams are playing in the Athol Attwater Shield.
The Lions started the season with a win against Genesis.
Genesis batted first, bowled out for 174 with two balls remaining. It was all single wicket takers for the Lions, with three run outs as well.
The Lions had little trouble chasing down the runs, hitting the winning ones in the 28th over. They finished 4-176. Ashan Athukorala top score with 87 with seven fours and five sixes.
Hume suffered a first up loss to Aintree.
Aintree made 9-199 before bowling Hume out for 118.
RMIT also picked up a first round win, while the Chargers and Oak Park drew after their game didn’t go ahead.
Around the grounds there was no action in the Victorian Turf Cricket Association, with round one postponed.
Teams are hoping pitches and grounds will be ready this weekend.
Among the scheduled matches is Craigieburn against Deer Park and Westmeadows playing Keilor in senior division, Tullamarine against St Francis de Sales in division 1 and Greenvale Kangaroos are set to face Footscray United in division 2.
In division 4, Roxburgh Park is set to face Laverton and in division 5, Jacana is set to face Barkly Street Uniting and Donnybrook against Footscray Angliss.
