There were no bells or whistles on the performance, rather a disciplined and opportunistic display.

Without John Butler and Jack Peeters – both key members to the bowling attack. The Red Caps kept its plan simple, bowl just outside off stump and stay there. They stayed there, and the wickets came.

Wendouree bowled the Mounties out for 219, but the victory was not without scare.

The Red Caps struck early to eventually have Mt Clear 4-19, including the big wicket of Nathan Yates for 12. But that brought explosive all-rounder Curtis Townrow to the crease and the short boundaries and pacy outfield of Mt Clear number two promised to favour his attacking style – it did not take long to prove that.

Townrow scored 67 (off 73 balls) and put on 48 runs with opener Steve Nicholson (38 runs) before being joined by skipper Darcy Thomson (19 runs), the pair put on 62 runs before a pause in play for the tea break.

Red Caps skipper Gavin Webb admitted the tea break came at a great time for his group, as it stunted the momentum of the Mt Clear batsmen. Play resumed at 5-148 and with the second ball after tea, Townrow fell – a crucial wicket for Wendouree.

The reigning premiers took full control from that moment, as the runs dried up and the wickets fell consistently.

“He was smacking us around early...that was pretty crucial, to get him out just after tea,” Webb said.

“We thought we might’ve been around par, but early wickets, and a couple of key wickets put us on top.

“I thought we were pretty disciplined with our bowling and we caught well, we didn’t drop a chance.”

Webb was pleased with the side’s 2-0 start, even more so given it boasts wins over quality teams in Darley and Mt Clear.

“(If we can) get one-up on a couple of these sides early in the year, it might take some pressure off later on.”