Page combined with opener James Chappell for a massive 162-run fourth wicket stand, both finishing with three-figure scores as Uni piled on 7-303 off their 50 overs.

In response,  Port chased gamely before crashing to be all out for 174.

Dropped on the first ball of the season, Chappell made Port pay with a measured 107.

It was Page who then took the match away from Port Kembla with a stunning century coming off 64 balls, brought up with a huge six over long on. 

“It was pretty great to watch,” Uni captain Taun Stanham said.

“We’d lost a couple of wickets after the opening partnership and he took it on really well.

“To go on with it and bring up a ton off 64 balls with a six is an awesome way to start the season.

“The pitch was as good as I’ve seen it there, it was an absolute highway.”

Chappell and former St George batsman Michael Waldren set the platform with a 100-run opening stand.

But Uni stumbled as Alex Coetzer and Kurt Majoor followed Waldren without scoring to be 3-106.

 Page responded in kind, blasting away to score 108, finally out caught with the innings at 5-268 in the final overs. It was a remarkable day of scoring in the opening round.

Northern Districts duo Matt Salakas and Lachlan Dunn each scored centuries in a 200-run opening stand against Wests.

Dunn smashed 109 off 73 balls at the top of the order, including 13 fours and four sixes. Captain Salakas made a run-a-ball 112.

After winning the toss, Northern Districts ended up all out 287, losing their last eight wickets for 56 runs in the frantic final overs.

In response, Wests teetered on the brink of disaster at 5-41 to fight back to be 9-183. Hayden McCrae was the fifth player in Illawarra first grade to raise the bat, scoring 101 for Helensburgh.

The Tigers set premiers Balgownie an imposing target of 8-257.

In response, the Magpies tried to push the pace, but were never in the hunt, slumping to 6-88 before finishing on 164.

A day dominated by batsmen, Uni’s Murray Crowe took 4-35 off 10 overs, while Oscar Oborn-Corby led Wests’ charge with 3-50.

ILLAWARRA CRICKET

Ladder: Corrimal 7, Keira 7, University 7, Helensburgh 7, Northern Districts 6, Wests 2, Balgownie 1, Port Kembla 1, Wollongong 1, Dapto 1.