The Rainbow Warriors, defending premiers, also had to come from behind, after Cougars had set up a 2-nil  lead early on.

Ryan Hopton’s extra-hard hitting, coupled with Brock Ridgewell’s timely hits, ensured the Cougars were in front early.

Hopton smashed the ball for a side that was also well served by pitcher Kris Bird.

Bird threw the first five innings before Cale Penrith, a welcome return to the game, threw the last three.

Jeff Chandler chucked all eight for the Rainbows, coming up with 68 strikes in his 101-pitch game.

He also struck out five batters. The Rainbows made just two errors and had seven hits while the Cougars made one error and had eight hits.

While  Bird received three points in the  best and fairest award, Mitch Holt grabbed the three points for the Rainbows with some good hitting and a number of excellent outfield catches.

In the other first grade game, Knights took an early 2-1 lead against the Warrior Blues.

“They had a pretty good side turn up,” Blues catcher and co-coach Chris Dyson said.

“They’ll get better too. 

“And they hit well early.

“They  scored two runs in the first and led us 2-1 before we got one back to tie it up at 2-all in the second.

“Then we hit three in the third and got another run in the fourth.”

He said darkness made it a short six inning game where Warriors pitcher John Warren was in good form.

“He kept them under control pretty well – they only came up with three hits,”  Dyson said.

He also had two hits himself. Ryan Handsaker also had a couple and  Mick Martin, Will Burke, Nathan Ardill and James Ardill also had hits.

Simon Norvill was best of the Knights with a triple and a single.

Grant Sippel also had a hit and relieved Allen Brand on the mound after Brand had thrown five good innings.

“It was a pretty good game,” Dyson said.

“It’s a great start for us. 

“We only made one error too.

“That’s pretty good for the first game of the season.”