Only this time, the difference was the shade of blue on his Premier Cricket uniform.

Rahman played a crucial role in Queanbeyan's 25-run win over North-Canberra Gungahlin on Saturday, claiming bragging rights over his former teammates.

The victory marked the first step on Queanbeyan's road to Gallop Cup redemption, with the team eager to atone last year's grand final loss.

Queanbeyan struggled with the bat and Mark Solway lead the charge with a 42-run haul, leaving the home-side with a 191 total to defend.

Rahman (3-11) rescued the innings with some help from fellow recruit William Todd (2-35), the pair ending a crucial partnership to seal the opening round match.

"With [Lachlan] Whatmough and [ Siddamarakkalage] de Silva, it was game on in their favour. Those wickets were turning points for sure," Solway said.

"I was really happy with them, especially with the ball. Todd took a crucial wicket at the end there, a big partnership to basically get us back on top of the match. It was good I was able to back him, he produced for me. It was pleasing to see.

"Esman closed out the match really well. The boys loved it, they got around him which was good to see. Good recruits."

Rahman sent de Silva (69) for an LBW, before bowling Braydon Jones (1) and Harrison Jones for a duck.

Todd took 3-27, getting revenge over Whatmough who bowled him earlier for four runs.

MORE CANBERRA SPORT

Queanbeyan skipper Solway said the victory set the tone for the season, but conceded their batting needs work to make back-to-back finals.

"The scorecard reflected that our four top batsmen got 30's and 40's, we definitely need one of them to make a big score. That's definitely a big one," Solway said.

"With the ball, I thought we did really well and bowled to plan. It was quite good there.

"100 per cent, [we want redemption from last season]. All the boys are probably more driven than previously.

"We all enjoy each other and have good fun as a team, we want to turn that into some success on the field as well. Everyone is putting in at training and keen to take home some silverware."

Across the border, John Rogers (94*) and Josh Myburgh (80) combined to lead defending champions Weston Creek Molonglo to victory over Western District at Stirling Oval.

The match between Tuggeranong Valley and ANU at Chisholm Oval was drawn after being washed out.

Ginninderra beat Eastlake to round out the weekend.

AT A GLANCE

ACT Cricket Gallop Cup round one: Weston Creek Molonglo 4/306 (Myburgh 80, Rogers 94*; Poonia 2/34) v Western District 8/236 (Taylor 79), Queanbeyan 191 (Solway 42 and 3/27; Rahman 3/11) bt North Canberra-Gungahlin 166 (De Silva 69; Emmerick 2/20), Ginninderra 7/269 (Thomas 75; Wilcox 4/40) bt Eastlake 9/163 (Tett 43; Page 3/34)