Batting first on a good wicket, captain Fletcher Rose hit an impressive 58, while the free-hitting Kyle Smith whacked 54 towards the end of Kinross’ innings to get them to a total of 213. 

Cavaliers have no reply, with Brad Wright top scoring with 31, and no other teammates passing 20.  

Cavaliers senior player Josh Doherty said they were “beaten by a better side”. 

“We knew Kinross would be a good side, and I was saying... they’re a dark horse this season,” he said.

“They’re all a year older, a bit bigger and stronger and with adding [Kyle Smith] they’re a very good side.”

It was an ominous start for Cavaliers, with Steve Geyer taking 21 off Harry Pearce’s first over before he played onto his stumps off a Sam Kennedy ball. 

His son Tom stuck around with Max Powell to see the hosts reach 1-60 from the 10^th over, before Powell was run out for 31. 

Gus Cumming came and went for four before Rose came to the crease, starting his innings with a towering straight six, and he and Smith piled the runs on. 

Scott Kennedy was the pick of the Cavaliers’ bowlers, taking 2-22, with support from Alex Weigold (2-27) and Brad Wright (2-34). 

Chris Brown and skipper Matt Corben looked in control early before a direct hit from Smith saw Corben on his way for 18.

“That was the turning point, I reckon,” said Doherty.

Gus Cumming took four top-order wickets, including the crucial wicket of Doherty for 12 and top-scorer Wright to finish with 4-21 from six overs, while the wily Stu Crisp took 4-11. 

Cavaliers meet Centrals next week at Wade Park, while Kinross have the bye.