And then Richie Venner came to the wicket.

The Cavs gun came out blazing and smoked the City attack away to end up unbeaten on 94 as the side finished with 4-157 to claim the first points of the 2016-2017 season.

Venner was aided early on by Tom Aggett who made 35 before being caught with the score at 4-91.

Chris Martin (14 not out) held up his end as Venner plundered the attack.

He survived a crucial dropped catch but ended up hitting 15 fours and a six to serve notice he is already in good form.

The four wickets were shared between the bowlers.

Earlier City got off to a shaky start losing the wicket of opener Jock Cartwright before a run had been scored. 

Dave Boundy came to the rescue with a well-struck 50 before going leg before wicket to left-arm off-spinner Brad Wright.

The score reached 5-137 before Wright sliced his way through the tail to finish with 5-35 off 14 overs, including four maidens.

Boundy said on Sunday: “We got off to a pretty good start with our bowlers on what was a reasonably placid pitch.

“We had our chances and we didn’t taken them. We dropped Richie when he was about 40. Richie then capitalised. It was a pretty real chance.”

He said he was happy with his half-ton. “I seemed to see the ball alright,” he said.

Boundy praised Shaun Grenfell (41) and Adam Cowden (28) for their efforts against the Cavs bowlers.

“We set them a reasonable score and all bar one catch who knows what the result could have been.

“It was the first game of the year. It’s good to get what you can out of it.”

There is a bye next week for rep cricket, but when the ODCA recommences on October 29 the first round winners, and last year’s finalists, Cavaliers and CYMS clash.