The Crusaders got away to a flying start with openers Scott Meale and Adam Twford adding 73 runs in 15 overs. Meale was in great touch scoring 33, a knock that included five fours, while Twyford, a useful pick from disbanded Central Hotel, made 28.

Darren Connell also looked at ease in scoring 14, before he got a feather down the leg side and was caught by keeper Mark Stimson.

Crusaders’ captain Mark Elia top scored with 40 not out. Elia’s ability to rotate the strike saw him score 17 singles and while he was the crease; the team’s score advanced from 82 to 191.      

Billy Winkley was the pick of the Mimosa bowlers capturing 4/47 from his ten overs, while older brother Josh captured 2/35.

Not helping the Mimosa cause was the fact that they bowled 20 wides. Set 192 runs for victory, Mimosa got off to a flyer with Artie Stacey having to leave early, blasted 45 runs from just 25 balls. His aggressive knock included four fours and two sixes.

When Stacey was dismissed with the seventh over, his opening partner Will Oliver was on nine. Oliver, 16, was awarded the best player in the junior competition last season, showed a lot of class in scoring 19.

Mimosa’s innings of 112 lasted just 20.2 overs.

Crusaders quicks took a bit of stick from the Stacey Carnage, Dean Bradley 2/35 from five overs and Gene Kessell 3/30 from seven overs.   

EX-SERVICES Magpies scored an impressive win over last season’s premiers, Temora Renegades.

The Renegades were bowled out in the 26th over for 92, the Magpies replied with 5/96 securing victory in the 26th over.  

The Renegades were best served with the bat Singh Haminder who made 25 while Jamie Bell top scored with 30. Left arm quick Aaron Basham making his debut for the Magpies, captured 5/13 from four overs.

Mick Cronin continued his fine form with bat in making 37 and he and the Magpies skipper Mal Sutherland added 48 runs in the opening stand. Sutherland made 18.