Sully Gould may not even have been playing in Instonians’ opening defence of their Premier League title on Saturday, if Rob McKinley had been available, but the Englishman has guaranteed himself a slot in the starting line-up for the foreseeable future after hitting his maiden senior century against Civil Service North.

Gould, who “grew up” with England Test opener Zac Crawley in the Kent youth side, was told on Thursday night that he would be batting at No 3 for the champions at Stormont and, boy, did he take his opportunity.

He was in the middle after just nine balls of the match when Neil Rock gave Adam Leckey the first wicket of the season, and from the off he took command.

Last season, he played in only half of Instonians’ games – and batted only nine times with a top score of 47 not out against relegated Templepatrick – but for the next 11 overs he outscored Ireland international Cade Carmichael five to one.

The pair put on 101 for the second wicket with Carmichael’s contribution just 18 as Gould brought up his 50 from just 30 balls, with 10 fours. He did enjoy a life on 25 when CSN fumbled a glorious run-out opportunity but he didn’t gave the bowlers a chancer as his onslaught continued, after Carmichael was leg before to James West.

Gould was able to enjoy a ‘breather’ when he was joined by Shane Dadswell, who hit 45 of the 73 runs partnership for the third wicket, from just 33 balls, but after the South African professional was superbly caught on the boundary by West, going for his fourth six to bring up his 50, all eyes were on Gould as he neared his own personal landmark.

 He had to watch his next partner, Matthew Humphreys, surprisingly promoted to No 5, fall second ball before a single brought up his 100 in only the 25th over from 65 balls with 14 fours and two sixes.

His innings would last only another six balls, Jake Collingwood holding on to a low return catch to send him back for 107. But, at 215 for five and more than 23 overs left his job was complete. The platform had been laid and the champions weren’t going to make any mistakes from here.

Instonians’ final total of 379 for eight was the highest 50-over total at Stormont in  the Premier League and despite 50s from Harry Dyer and Collingwood in reply, the visitors  always had the chase under control and the final margin of 101 runs reflected their dominance.

Nikolai Smith and Andrew White were the perfect combination to continue Gould’s hard work, the captain the ideal foil to White’s familiarly unorthodox combination of flicks, reverse sweeps and ramps that brought him 67 runs from 61 balls.

Their sixth wicket partnership was worth 115 in 111 balls and after the veteran’s departure with five   overs to go, Smith maintained the momentum to score 81 from 79 with 10 fours and a six.

Dyer’s 10 overs for 49 was particularly impressive in the carnage but Leckey, despite conceding more than eight an over was easily the most successful, fand picked up his maiden five-wicket haul.

An opening stand of 42 in five overs between Marc Ellison and James West threatened to maintain some doubt about the result but James Magee removed both openers in successive overs and by the middle of the 17th over, CSN were stuttering at 86 for five.

Spectators had only 14 balls to watch new Indian professional Ashwin Hebbar before he was dismissed by a superb catch at second slip by Shane Dadswell, taken behind his back, and the introduction of Cian Robertson accounted for Jordan Neill and Leckey.

Collingwood made an impressive start with the bat and will add substance to the middle order, the left hander who enjoyed himself in Section One last year with Lurgan, showing that he has what it  takes to make  the leap up with 61 from 52 balls before he was smartly stumped by Neil Rock, still showing the class that won him 18 Ireland caps behind the stumps.

It was also encouraging for the Stormont side to see captain Stuart Thompson, make 38 in the sixth wicket stand of 84 before Dyer took it upon himself to go on the attack. He faced only 41 balls, which included seven fours and five sixes, as he made 73 of the next 91 runs.  

 When White bowls only four overs (for 14 runs) in the innings, you know that Instonians are in control so Smith was able to give young David Agnew seven overs – he ended Dyer’s late charge – although Magee, Ben Rose and even Matthew Humphreys all went at a run-a-ball or more.

Tougher tests await the champions but they could not have asked for a more solid start. CSN certainly have the talent and strength in their batting but defending totals could be a problem for an inexperienced attack.