The competition was rained out the previous week, and on Saturday only one game could go ahead on the new turf wicket as the synthetic pitches were again too wet to play on.

The Vic Vikings and the Stallions were the lucky first players on the new turf wicket on Saturday.

Although the Stallions got off to a slow start after losing four wickets early on, good partnerships and solid contributions from captain Chris Holland (47) and young recruit Hayden Mills (40), allowed them to set an imposing total of 9/177.

“It was pretty hard going early on, we were a few wickets down after 10 overs,” Holland said.

“Then myself and Hayden Mills batted for about two hours together.”

Holland said Mills is a great new addition to the side and will be one to watch out for in years to come.

“He held our batting line-up together; he was one of the main reasons we did come away with a handy win,” he said.

Sam Brown (27) and Ben Day (23) were also key contributors for the Stallions, with Day hitting the first six on the new ground.

The best of the Vikings bowlers were Nick Marshall 3/24 and Wyatt Roberts 3/41.

In response, the Vikings batsmen struggled to build significant partnerships despite a number of batsmen getting starts and they were eventually rolled for 110.

Vikings best performers with the bat were Ryan Kennedy (17), Wyatt Roberts and Matt Kaukianen (13), Nick Marshall and Jayme Dempster (10).

Stallions bowlers shared the wickets with Beau McMahon taking 3/24, Ben Day 2/18, Chris Holland 2/22, Sam Brown 2/21 and Kyle O’Connor 1/8.

Holland said the Vikings struggled on the turf wicket, which is a lot different to playing on synthetics.

“Not a lot of people around here have had the opportunity to play on a turf wicket, unless you’re travelling away for rep cricket,” he said.

“It’s a lot harder to play on.”

Holland said while it will take a bit of getting used to for many players, the turf wicket will help improve their cricketing skills.

“It’s good to see a turf wicket in Moree,” he said.

“Everyone who played on it will tell you how much it felt like a proper game of cricket.”

Draw for Saturday, October 28: 

Stallions versus Golfies on turf

Vic Vikings versus Colts on field 1.