In the battle of the initials, CIYMS beat CSN by 19 runs on the opening day of the Ulster Bank Premier league.

The early start didn't suit Chris Dougherty who made just a single before becoming the first wicket of the season for John Costain. One wag suggested that if the inter-union one club rule wasn't in place, he could have driven down the M2 and been in time to bat for his former club Brigade.

Barry Cooper (4) and Taimur Khan (4) both went cheaply, before Bray and Ryan Butterworth set about repairing the damage. The pair added 84 for the 4th wicket in a steady fashion, before both Butterworth (35) and his fellow Zimbabwean PJ Moor (0) both fell to Graham (3-47).

Bray had been watchful in reaching 50 from 99 balls, but accelerated to finish with 82 from 127 balls (8 fours, 1 six), as his side posted 180 for 9.

In reply no fewer than 8 CSN players reached double figures including Trevor Dalzell (28) and a press-ganged Regan West (11).

With Nigel Jones only able to score a single, the pressure and run rate became too much for the Stormont side, with McChesney (3-24) and Adair, Butterworth and Hughes taking two wickets apiece.

A winning start to justify the winter investment, and if the players can gel, then CIYMS may well challenge trhe usual suspects for the league title.