Ballarat Cricket Association had the ideal tune-up for Melbourne Country Week with a six-wicket triumph over rivals Bendigo and District on Sunday.
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The hosts reached 9-185 batting first in the Kenmac Shield contest at the Queen Elizabeth Oval before multiple EJ Cleary Medal winner Nathan Yates guided the BCA to victory.
He hit an unbeaten century from just 96 balls to steer the BCA over the line with more than six overs in hand.
The Mt Clear all-rounder's knock included 10 fours and four sixes and was part of a match-winning 110-run partnership with Heath Pyke.
Pyke, from Wendouree, was 54 not out when Ballarat reached the target.
Yates said the result was set up by good bowling from spinners Harry Killoran (2-32), Sam Burgess (1-22) and Steve Nicholson (2-28) and was a nice platform for the upcoming carnival.
"It was a great lead in to the week ahead," Yates said.
"There is plenty of room for improvement, but it was great to get the squad together and to beat a quality team like Bendigo is always a good sign moving forward."
Ballarat is part of the top division of the statewide tournament and will open its campaign with a tough battle against powerhouse Geelong on January 17.
The BCA earned a berth back in the provincial grade by winning through to last season's division two grand final, which it lost against Bendigo.
After the battle with Geelong, Ballarat has clashes against Sale-Maffra at AK Line Reserve in Watsonia and West Gippsland at Bill Lawry Oval in Northcote.
After those three pool games, semi-finals get underway on Thursday, February 20 before the decider the following day.
While Yates is captain, his Mt Clear teammate Darren Fletcher is BCA coach.
Bendigo District Cricket Association coach Shane Koop paid tribute to the BCA's performance on Sunday.
"There's no alarm bells, Ballarat played really well and they're a proud association,'' Koop said.
"There were lots of learnings from the day and the boys are still really positive. In some respects we like that were challenged in our final game before Melbourne Country Week because that's really good preparation."
Bendigo District is also part of the provincial division, but doesn't have a scheduled game against Ballarat.
