A 191 opening stand for the first team, set the tone for a comprehensive 109 run victory in their first Championship fixture at Shaw Lane against Sheffield Collegiate.

William Chapman and overseas star Ali Zaryab played fantastically well, especially early when the pitch and conditions offered something for the bowlers. They timed their innings to perfection as the ball got older and the bowlers offered more width.

Chapman scored the first century of the season with a mix of power and guile as he complied 105 runs from 110 deliveries. The partnership was eventually broken in the 35th over as Chapman was trapped in front by Matthew Tyas.

Tarakhil joined Ali, but the partnership only lasted 3 overs as Ali holed out to long off for 81 from 114 balls. The skipper Beukes chipped to mid wicket for 9 and Tarakhill was caught for 20.

Ciaran Stenton kept the scoreboard ticking at a great rate and was eventually the last man out for 41 from just 26 balls.

The total of 288 for 6 was well above par and gave the bowlers some breathing room to settle into the season.

It didn’t take long for Harvey Round’s return to bowling to bring a wicket with a yorker in his first over. Both Harvey and Rizwan bowled tight upfront and Harvey made the second breakthrough before Lucas Slatter skittled the opponents skipper to leave them 35 for 3. A 70 run partnership from Mann (63no) and Tyas, steadied the ship but the run rate continued to climb. Ali removed Tyas for 35 and two late wickets for Boeta Beukes and one for Rizwan Ishaq left the visitors on 179 for 7 at the close.

A good building block for the side to start their campaign in the Championship.