Openers get St Saviour's off to a flyer

RICHARD VEILLARD got just the start to the summer he wanted last evening. Aon St Saviour's opened the Barclays Premier One season with a deserved 11-run victory over NRG Pessimists at KGV as the light-blues heeded the calls of their skipper to get points on the board early to avoid a relegation battle in a few months' time.

The win was based on a well-constructed opening partnership of 55 between Glen Mourant and Spencer Noyon compiled in less than 10 overs.

Noyon hit two sixes and three fours in his 38 made at quicker than a run a ball while Mourant contributed 30 from 39 deliveries with three fours.

The skipper also weighed in with a useful quick-fire 23 to set the opposition a very testing 16-over target of 104.

Pierre Moody was the pick of the attack, earning all three wickets to fall: Noyon had his off stump comprehensively uprooted, Mourant holed out to Mike Wall in the deep and Veillard got a nick behind.

Tim Belton and James Warr got the Pessimists reply off to a solid start but when Andy Maiden took a fine catch at backward point to dismiss the latter for 14, things began to go wrong.

Belton ran himself out for 25 and Dave Piesing was the only other Pessimists batsman to reach double figures but by the time he came in the required rate had already risen dramatically.

Gary Cordery finished with Saints' best figure as he claimed three for 21 while Gareth Masterton and Maiden chipped in with three wickets between them.