Saintfield were the first winners of the season in Section One, when they passed their hosts total of 244 in the 39th over with six wickets to spare.
Mark Thompson, Curtley Deelman and Richard Greer all hit half-centuries for last year’s Section Two champions – Greer and Deelman putting on 108 for the third wicket.
But Werner Brand’s 157 not out made light of that total, the South African professional hitting 20 fours and three sixes in his 118 balls innings and dominating a fourth wicket stand of 182 with TJ McCavera.
Atish Varape hit 95 not out as Carrickfergus eased to a six wickets victory in their opening Section One game after refusing promotion to the Premier League.
Set 172 for victory, they reached their target in the 31st over.
Derriaghy, after deciding to bat first, were bowled out at the start of the 47th over with no one able to stay with Ross Bailey who finished 40 not out from 114 balls!
Varape hurried the innings to a conclusion with the last three wickets.
A undefeated century by Sam McMillan led Bangor to a comfortable seven wickets victory at The Factory Ground.
The opener hit 15 fours and three sixes in his 109 not out and 51 by Andy Kirkpatrick in an unbroken stand of 97 saw them home with more than 15 overs to spare.
Lachy Aiken top scored in the home side’s 238 with a quickfire 66 (10 fours, two sixes).
Cooke Collegians made a winning start on their return to the second tier with a 19 runs victory at Cregagh.
After Haider Haider scored 55 of the first 101 runs, Vinoth Srinivasan took over and finished 83 not out in the visitors’ total of 261 for seven.
Adam Beattie provided a late charge for Cregagh with a run-a-ball 53 but he was dismissed 30 runs short of victory.
Half centuries from Jaydee Oliver and Stephen Johnston led Lurgan to a five-wicket win over Armagh at The Mall.
Chasing 244, Oliver made 95 and Johnston 58, while Liam Dodrell chipped in with 33 in an excellent chase.
Earlier, Sam Wilson just missed out on a century, dismissed for 97, while Harry Doyle made 46. Darwish Nazari took four wickets, Dodrell three and new signing Ivan Sinovich two in a fine all-round bowling effort.
