With Yobs hosting Bulls on a hard Churchill wicket and with the outfield looking fast they were gleaming with confidence.

But the Bulls had a new approach to this season’s opener with the team looking very much different to last year there was a fresh feeling amongst the group.

Winning the toss, Bulls skipper Mark “Mugga” Mullins had no hesitation in batting first and the Bulls were off to a flyer with sundries opening the account with nine wides being bowled in the first two overs.

This gave both Dave Johnson and newcomer Ben Shepherd the opportunity to set in and take full advantage of the wayward bowling.

Although this soon became unstuck with Johnson falling to a rapid lbw decision, and Clydsdale and Shepherd soon following, the Bulls found themselves reeling at 3 for 39.

It took Simon White (21) and Kai Barrow to see the Bulls through to drinks somewhat struggling at 6 for 71.

But with the loss of both these batsmen soon after the break the Bulls then turned to Mark Storey (26) for some desperate runs.

Storey combined with the skipper to put on a considerable partnership including a few big shots and fast running between the wickets to boost the Bulls’ total to 123, with them soon being bowled out for an adjudged par score of 139.

Yobs’ J Trewen was the main culprit taking four wickets.

Callum Moore was given the new ball and with that full opportunity to attack the top order batsmen.

Yet Mullins was the first to strike getting a thick edge that flew straight to first slip.

Moore then too struck, bowling all important batsman P Haynes with a ripping slower bowl beating him all ends up to knock over off stump.

Yet this caused Yobs to rally, putting on a partnership between Evans (19) and Harris (26), only to be broken by the evergreen Dano Williams claiming two wickets in sequential overs.

The Bulls then claimed two more wickets on the brink of drinks to leave Yobs 6 for 78 at the break.