The experience of Blake Dean and a stunning spell from 16-year-old paceman Joe Slater showed why Weston Creek Molonglo is rated one of the favourites for the John Gallop Cup.
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Creek got its Cricket ACT first-grade campaign off to the perfect start with an emphatic 98-run victory against Eastlake at Stirling Oval on Saturday.
With Adelaide Strikers opener Jono Dean missing the first game for his new club through suspension, younger brother Blake top-scored with a half-century as Creek posted a competitive total of 227.
Slater then did the damage with the ball, the impressive young quick taking 3-10 from eight overs as Eastlake was bundled out for just 129 in reply.
The recruitment of the Dean brothers from Queanbeyan along with veteran all-rounder Adam Heading had Creek pencilled in as one of the favourites for the title.
Creek captain Michael Delaney said the extra leadership at the club from the new players would come in handy around their young talent.
"To get those senior blokes around makes a big difference," Delaney said.
"Blake led from the front, opened the batting and got us off to a great start.
"He's a class player and it's great having someone like that around."
Slater constantly troubled the Eastlake batsmen with his line and length, while proving to be difficult to get away, with Delaney predicting he has a big future ahead.
"He tied them down and they couldn't score," Delaney said.
"He's going to be one to watch for years to come.
"I don't think he'll be around Canberra for too much longer."
Eastlake captain Michael Spaseski was disappointed with his team's batting after his side's bowlers kept Weston Creek to a reachable target.
"We did pretty well to peg them back to just 227, but that's where about all the good things went to the end," Spaseski said.
"Our batting didn't fire at all today.
Meanwhile, a half-century from Joe Cooke and Adam Hewitt's three-wicket haul helped Wests/UC (7-223) to a three-wicket win against ANU (8-222) at Stirling Oval.
Cooke top-scored with 56 while Sam Carters and Darren Richards both chipped in with 44 as Wests/UC chased down the total with 10 balls to spare.
ANU opener Max Wakefield led the way at the top of the order with 68, while Hewitt did the damage with 3-42.
Tuggeranong (6-251) got its season off a successful start with a 38-run victory against Ginninderra (213).
