The home side won the toss and elected to bat first on a terrific Bernie Regan wicket.

Openers Christian Page and Mitch Downey got the home side off to a fine start with a partnership of 48 runs before Far South Coast spinner Xavier Bowles got one through the defence of Mitch Downey, the batsman bowled for 12.

The wicket then brought captain Drew Ramsden to the crease and he and opener Page steadied again and took the score past the 100 mark before Page retired on 40 not out.

A couple of middle order run outs, chasing quick runs, saw Alec Dobson (7) and Lachlan Malcolm (0) back in the sheds, however Ramsden (51no) and partner Tim Hopkins (11no) saw out the remaining overs, with the Shoalhaven recording the competitive total of 3 for 166 from its allotted 40 overs.

In reply Far South Coast never really got going with opening bowlers Jay Ramsden (2/13) and Cooper Bramley (2/7) striking early and removing the Far South Coast top three for a meagre 14 runs.

The Shoalhaven didn’t let up there either with Lachlan Malcolm, Riley Sims, Alec Dobson and Jack Lonesborough all collecting wickets on their way to bowling out their opponents for 34 runs in the 15th over.

Best of the bowlers was Lachlan Malcolm with 3/10, while Mitch Downey took a couple of handy catches in the outfield.

Overall, coach Andrew Malcolm was pleased with the Shoalhaven’s first up showing.

“I’m really pleased with how the boys started this year’s representative season, with such a dominating display,” Malcolm said.

“Despite a couple of minor issues with running between the wickets in the middle order it was pretty much a faultless performance.”

Shoalhaven’s next match is an away fixture against Crookwell, this Sunday, October 30.