The match finished when storms hit Gunnedah with Kookaburras sitting at 6-81 – after 22.3 overs at the crease – chasing Mornington’s total of 97.

With enough overs played to constitute a match, Kookaburras took out the win with their superior net run-rate.

Milne – who is captaining the side with Shane Riordan this season – said how Kookaburras claimed the win was most pleasing.

The side rebounded from 4-17 down.

“Any time you win early in the season, you’re giving the young blokes the confidence that we can win,” he said.

“And winning from the circumstances we were in was very good.”

Milne said the young players in the side could also take confidence from their performances.

“All the young ones I had stepped up, plus a couple older blokes,” Milne said.

James McGowan claimed 4-20 with the ball while Greg Nicholls (3-9) “took three middle pegs” for Kookaburras.

The shining light in Mornington’s innings was a 70-run partnership between Trent Lumby (24) and Justin Carter (38).

Those two were the second and third wickets to fall which triggered a collapse that saw Mornington lose 9-23.

Kookaburras’ innings was the reverse of Mornington’s dig.

After losing early wickets, Nicholls (18*) combined with a number of players – including top-scorer Clinton Coward (23) – to drag Kookaburras back into a winning position.