The Cavaliers had the first round off the season off, but showed they won’t be easy-beats in 2016-17 after chalking up a massive victory over highly-rated Lake Illawarra at Howard Fowles Oval on Saturday.

A stunning 107 from returning opener Randall Starr helped Kiama post 9/252 for their 50 overs and they were able to restrict Lake to 7/204.

Kiama captain Nathan Barr was ecstatic with the Cavaliers’ start to the new season.

“To come out and get that first round is massive for us,” he said.

“We obviously set our sights on a good win first round, but to come out and do it was great to see for everyone. It was pleasing to execute the way we did.”

Starr was in devastating touch from the get-go as he played his part in a club record opening stand alongside Mark Brockman.

Brockman had 45 of his own in the pair’s 165 run opening stand, but it was Starr who did the majority of the hitting.

Starr hit 13 fours and six sixes in a stunning display of hitting to start the match.

“He is a class player,” Barr said.

“When he gets going and is hitting them like that it makes for enjoyable viewing.”       

When both openers were dismissed in successive bowls, Kiama already had a big score on the board.

It allowed Barr to come in and add another 42 before three quick wickets for Greg Connor put a dent in the Cavaliers hopes on posting a massive total.

Connor was Lake’s best with the ball, taking 3 for 20 off his 10 overs with six maidens.

Mark Ulcigrai was also handy with 3/35 while Shane Cody had 2/61. Lake got off to a good start with the bat but couldn’t go on with things.

After Ulcigrai was dismissed for eight, David Lambert (50) and Ryan Maguire (58) both scored half centuries to get Lake on track.

But when Lambert was run out by Starr with the score on 98 things began to go south.

Lake lost 5/49 and were eventually restricted to 204.

Matt O’Brien and Josh Norris both chipped in with two wickets each.

Barr said the Cavaliers’ sensational start was key to the win.

“When you get off to a great start like that it is always going to set you up,” he said.

“That opening partnership of well over 100 was a record first wicket partnership for the club and put us in a great position. We struggled a bit through the middle order but were able to set up a winning total.

“It was hard conditions for both sides with the ball. Strong winds made things really difficult but we were able to cut down the boundaries.”

In other matches, Brett Gilly’s 120 not out propelled The Rail to 8/293 before they bowled out Shellharbour for 239. Andrew Twyford took 6/27 as Oak Flats bowled Kookas out for 95. They chased it down without losing a wicket.