Keira skipper Graeme Batty faces University's Ryan Holcroft during his knock of 130 in the opening round. Picture: ROBERT PEET
It might be a new era in Illawarra cricket with a radical new points system, but last season's top three clubs Balgownie, Helensburgh and Keira claimed maximum points with impressive wins on Saturday's opening day.
Keira skipper Graeme Batty led the way smashing 130 as the Lions belted University at Uni Oval.
Keira made 6-240 with the Students rolled for 142 and, by dismissing their opponent and then winning, Keira earned the maximum 20 points.
This season clubs voted 8-2 to replace a traditional two-day premiership with 18 one-dayers and six Twenty20 matches.
The 50-over-a-side format includes a complicated bonus point system, with winning and losing "draws", in games where a team is not bowled out.
Only a victorious team that bowls out their opponent will be deemed to have fully won a match and earn the maximum 20 points.
Cricket Illawarra introduced the new one-day comp, plus Twenty20 format to improve the overall standard of senior cricket and attract more players.
Serious concern over the general standard of senior cricket comes despite Illawarra last season winning the NSW country championship for the first time since 1997 and the first grade comp being the most competitive in many years.
On Saturday Balgownie, Helensburgh and Keira claimed the maximum 20-point win in round one, after dismissing their opponents and winning the game.
The Burgh (9-167) beat Port Kembla (94) by 73 runs, with Burgh wicketkeeper Ryan Morris leading the way with an unbeaten 52.
Steve Blissenden took 3-8 for the Burgh. New Port skipper Scott Smith (30) top-scored.
"It's great to get the 20 points," Burgh skipper Tim Lloyd said.
"Under the new format it's a massive reward for bowling the other team out and winning the game,"
Meanwhile, Adam Berwick (65) top-scored for premiers Balgownie who beat Northern Districts by 37 runs.
Bally made 199 then dismissed Norths for 162. Norths opener Mark Johnson (56) top-scored while Kody Freeman took 4-43 for the Magpies.
The other two games were deemed winning and losing "draws".
Dapto (7-164) beat Corrimal (8-97) with Dapto's Richard Marsh making 44 and Ben Chapman 35, including four sixes. Thomas McDevitt made an unbeaten 36 for Corrimal.
Dapto's Wayne Paton took 3-14, with the match reduced to 38 overs due to a damp Ziems Park wicket.
Finally, Wollongong skipper Dave Studholme made an unbeaten 79 to lead his side to a "winning draw" against a youthful Wests. Wests posted 9-172, led by Blake Redman's 52.