RSL-Colts Captain Marty Jeffery was pretty happy that his new-look side managed to secure the win over last year's rivals the Newtown Tigers in their RSL-Whitney Cup opening round clash on Saturday.
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The much anticipated rematch between the two sides who battled it out in the 2018-2019 grand final, played out in reverse, with the Colts establishing a quick advantage in runs and winning 160 - 7 after their time at the bat.
Obviously, it's a grand final rematch, so it's good to get a win in those circumstances, but it's always good to get a win first up.
- Colts Captain Marty Jeffery
"Obviously, it's a grand final rematch, so it's good to get a win in those circumstances, but it's always good to get a win first up," Jeffery said.
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While his side still carries some of the formidable players that granted the Colts strong success last year, it's been hampered by the absence of some big name players, and bolstered by the addition of some up and coming stars.
"We sort of have that new side getting together, so we were glad to grab a win first up moving into the season when things haven't quite come together."
Among those relatively new players is former Tiger Charlie Kempston, who's joined the Colts this season and was first in the batting order, while the prospect only gained ten runs for his side before being caught out by Danial French, Jeffery sees plenty of potential.
"Charlie Kempston looked really good early, he didn't score many stats wise, but he looked really good early on and it could be a really good year from him," Jeffery said.
"He'll suit our environment well, I honestly think he could score over 800 runs this year."
Long time Colts bowler Ben Semmler also impressed during his turn at the crease, providing his customary talents and dispatching four of Newtown's batsmen in just a few overs.
"Benny Semmler really took the game by the scruff of the neck on day one and broke it open for us there, he took those four wickets in very few overs and it's a huge credit to him, it was definitely a man of the match worthy performance."
While Jeffery was glad to get the win, he wasn't certain that the result meant more than the twelve competition points it granted the Colts.
"We knew Newtown had lost a few players, and the competition would change around a bit, but you have to take each game as it comes, we'll take the confidence from that win, move into next week and hopefully do the same again."
The changes that have wracked the competition's teams have hit the Colts' line-up just as hard as everyone else, but Jeffery is confident that his side is moving well in preparation for the competition's depth.
"I think with the changes there's a couple of new players sure, but everyone's been around the group for a while now it's just that fact of getting together, being a group, we've had great showings at training and everyone seems to be really getting involved."
