Eaton Socon made their first-ever taste of Tucker Gardner League top-flight cricket a successful one last Saturday.

The reigning Division Two champions eased to a 38-run success against fellow promoted side Blunham in their debut Division One outing.

New captain Jonny Carpenter hit a half-century to help Eaton Socon post a useful 208 and they eventually got rid of the visitors for 170 after reducing them to 96-8 at one stage.

Carpenter claimed the two late wickets which ensured his side continued a 22-match unbeaten run stretching back to the second weekend of last season.

Carpenter said: “Getting a win in the first game in Division One is just the start we wanted.

“We batted well and we also performed well with the ball for the most part. It wasn’t ideal letting Blunham survive for so long after having them eight-down for less than a hundred, but we managed to finish the job in the end.

“We’ll use that as a bit of a lesson for the rest of the season. When we have a team on the ropes, we must ensure we keep them there and be that little bit more ruthless.

“I’m sure there will be tougher challenges ahead, but the signs are already good. I would back us to get past 200 with the bat in most games and it was pleasing to bowl a team out, even if it did take a little bit longer than we wanted to do it.

“I’m sure the unbeaten run will end at some point, but we’re just hoping to keep it going for as long as possible.”

Carpenter had to be patient for his 56 runs while Matt Pateman, who captained Godmanchester to the Division One title last season, added a tidy 34 in his Eaton Socon homecoming.

New arrival Matt Kirkham clubbed 41 off just 21 balls to help them past the 200-mark before Ben Gowling led an early bowling assault. He took three wickets with the new ball before Joe Watling, Matthew Taylor and Carpenter all struck twice.

Eaton Socon travel to Ketton this Saturday.