Bellbird first grade opening batsman Jason Orr kicked the new Coalfields Cup Cricket Competition off in style by blasting a century in what was a weekend of upsets in the exciting new format.
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In pursuit of Mulbring's target of 182 for victory, Orr was at the crease from the opening ball, blasting 11 boundaries and clearing the pickets five times to notch his ninth career century in a fine innings where he scored at a run-a-ball.
He was well supported by Ben Fairlie who remained unbeaten on 47. Ben Neaves took 2-41 off 10 for the home side.
Earlier in the day the Marlins were all out in the final over of their innings for 181, with Neaves having a fine all-round game with 83. Scott Robertson (39) and Mick Mascord (25) scored freely, while Nick Siers (3-61 off 9.2) and Dale Arnold (2-41 off 10) were the Tigers' best with the ball.
Last year's Singleton wooden spooners Glendon got their season off on the right foot with a two-wicket upset victory over Greta/Branxton at Singleton's Cook Park no. 2.
Greta/Branxton's first visit to the Northern Conference did not start well, batting first but posting just a modest 148, having been bowled out in the 35th over.
Josh Dagg (27), Darren Thomson (27), Nathan Holz (26) and Cliff Newling (21) all made starts without pushing on.
Scott Griffiths (3-31 off 10), Tom Stacy (3-29 off 7) and Anthony Bailey (2-21 off 4.1) all took regular wickets for the home side.
The match remained in the balance throughout the entire Glendon run-chase, but they eventually reached the target with five balls to spare and two wickets left in the sheds.
Wicket-keeper Jack Turner blasted a quick fire 59, Daniel Higgins drove the ball nicely for 42, with Griffiths capping a fine all-round game with 16 not out.
Brent Watson (2-45 off 10), Darren Thomson (2-12 off 9) and Connor Thomson (2-23 off 8) all took a brace of wickets each for the Blues.
Next door on Cook No.1, last year's Singleton minor premiers PCH won a fiery affair by five wickets over Creeks.
Creeks batted first and were all out in the 33rd over for 156. Chad Solman (45), Clinton Harman (30), Blake Cook (27) and Gavin Wake (23) all kept the scoreboard ticking over, while for PCH Dan Oldknow (3-5 off 2) and Brandon Carmen (2-10 off 3) did the majority of the damage with the ball.
In what was also an intense finish, PCH achieved the target with 15 balls to spare and five wickets in hand.
Opener Pat Denniss played beautifully to carry his bat with 78 in a man-of-the-match performance, receiving good support from Oldknow (25 not out) who completed a fine all-round game.
Jarrod Campbell was Creeks' best with the four-piece, bagging 3-23 off 10.
Valley just got over the line in their one-wicket victory over JPC at Cook 3.
Continuing on the trend of modest targets in the opening round, JPC were all out in the 34th over for 139.
Openers Rod Pearce (58) and Greg Thrift (29) got off to a solid start, but there was only one other batsman to reach double figures.
Daniel Hayes (4-43 off 10), Isaac Barry (3-30 off 7.4) and Brendan Nicholls (3-26 off 10) took the wickets for Valley.
Valley snuck home in the 31st over on the final wicket. Barry completed an exceptional all-round game with 40, with Daniel Storey and Nathan Bagnall (22-apiece) doing enough to get their side home.
In the final opening round game, along with their Singleton counterparts, last year's Cessnock wooden spooners Wine Country also recorded a first up win when they trounced the Piranhas by 67 runs at East End.
After winning just the one match all of last season, the Wood Ducks batted first and posted a healthy 177, with skipper Andrew Fensom leading the way an unbeaten 73.
Rob Sidebottom (21), Matt Lightfoot (21), and Mark O'Hara (20) all made starts, while for the Piranhas Fletcher Sharpe (3-43 off 9), skipper Matt Zechel (2-28 off 7.5) and Luke Sweeney (2-19 off 4) shared the wickets.
The home side were skittled for just 110 in reply inside 24 overs, with Zechel (42no), Sharpe (32) and Sweeney (18) the only batsmen in double figures in good all-round games.
Hudson Smith (4-20 off 6) and Luke Jeans (4-17 off 5.2) were responsible for all the damage with the ball.