Keswick’s new Sri Lankan professional Risith Upamal had a hard act to follow at Fitz Park – but in the opening game of the season he looked more than capable of filling the void.
Hugely popular Geeth Kumara had been a successful Keswick pro for a decade so there were big boots to fill for his successor, whoever he was.
In fact Kumara recommended fellow countryman Upamal and he marked his Keswick debut with an unbeaten century at home to Dalton.
He was 104 not out off 126 deliveries and hit 11 fours with one six as Keswick reached an impressive 262-6 in their 50 overs. There was excellent support, too, from skipper James McGoqn who made 73 off only 71 balls.
Upamal and McGoqwn had put on 149 for the fifth wicket after they had been 89-4 and the innings delicately poised.
Dalton never really got going and apart from returning overseas amateur Amari Goodridge (28) and Joe Braund Smith (25) struggled against a varied Keswick attack.
In the end they were bowled-out for 126 in 36.4 overs with all six Keswick bowlers used picking up wickets. Upamal and Dan Gaskell were best, both taking 2-15.
Champions Furness also started with a win and they easily saw off local rivals Haverigg by eight wickets.
Haverigg chose to bat after winning the toss but were bowled-out for 104 in just 29.5 overs and would have been in deeper trouble but for Joe Harvey (39) and skipper Drew Postlethwaite (26) who came together with their side rocking on 14-4.
Josh Shaw (4-29) and Elliot Maxfield (3-16) were the main wicket-takers for Furness who had gone into the game without a pro following the late arrival of new man Saaed Khan.
They knocked off the runs in 19.2 overs with openers Nathan Waterston (56no) and Sam Dutton (37) putting on 69 for the first wicket.
Cockermouth were another club waiting for their overseas recruit to arrive and they lost their opening game with Carlisle at Sandair.
The hosts had made a great start with openers Gareth White (44) and Alex Grainger (47) putting on 104 for the first wicket but apart from a late flurry by wicket keeper Sam Scully (24no) Cockermouth subsided to 177-8 in their 50 overs.
New recruit Nico Watt (3-37) and fellow spinner Josh Stirling (2-39) were the most successful bowlers for Carlisle.
Although Carlisle lost both openers for 25 they were carried largely to their target by Ben Davidson (75no) and professional Mike Slack (65) who put on 121 for the third wicket. They reached victory at 180-6 at the start of the 48th over.
Cockermouth’s new recruit Matthew Siddall was their most successful bowler, taking 3-43.
Millom were convincing winners at Cleator, whose new professional had not arrived, and the visitors picked up maximum points from a victory by 97 runs.
Electing to bat first Millom made 203-7 in their allotted overs with solid contributions from returning professional Primosh Perera (39), Graham Dawson (38) and Robert Thompson (37no). David Blackwell bowled best for Cleator with 2-16 off his ten overs.
Opener David Glover (28) and James Rogers (23) briefly gave Cleator hope but they faltered and eventually were bowled out for 106 with Robbie Wilson (3-27) doing best with the ball for Millom.
Workington came out on top in the west Cumbrian derby against Whitehaven, who were unable to find a substitute pro to replace their injured recruit.
Whitehaven, who were put in to bat, had made a reasonable start at 60-2 but collapsed to 121 all out in 44.3 overs. Stephen Holliday (23) and Josh Foster (22) were the top scorers while Ben Scott had 3-33 for Workington.
Thew hosts were always in control, reaching three figures for the loss of only three wickets and they eventually collected the points on 122-5 from 35 overs.
Tom Fox (37) provided most runs with Jonathan Stewart taking 2-19 from ten overs for the visitors.
In the final game at Gillfoot Wigton recovered from 50-5 against hosts Egremont to reach 210-6 and eventually go on to win by 74 runs.
James Reed (65no) and professional Chris Hodgson (58) put on 144 for the sixth wicket to pull Wigton back from the brink.
In the end there were three wickets apiece for Glen Liddle and Johnny Honeyman as they bowled Wigton to victory.
For Egremont, Coady Scott bowled 10 overs and although he didn’t take a wicket, only conceded six runs.
David Raynor was the leading batsman for the hosts with 32.
