New signing Amit Gupta hit a debut half-century as Godmanchester Town claimed derby success on the first day of the new Cambs & Hunts Premier League season.

Gupta’s boundary-laden contribution of 54 off 41 balls, which included eight fours and two sixes, helped Matt Durrant’s reign as captain begin with a 66-run verdict against newly-promoted St Ives in their Whiting & Partners Division One opener.

Opener Tariq Aziz fell five runs short of a half-century of his own as Godmanchester reached 209 before dismissing the visitors for 143 with Russel Withey (3-18) leading the way.

A fine all-round display from Tom McCarthy was not enough to prevent St Ives from making a losing return to the top flight. McCarthy took 5-33 before hitting 50, but still ended up on the beaten side.

Alex Scully was the star of another opening day derby as Waresley beat Eaton Socon by five wickets. Scully cracked 13 boundaries in a fine 78 as his side eased to a victory target of 197.

Eaton Socon skipper Jon Carpenter hit 61 for his side while Matt Pateman added 31. Gary Cole claimed 3-44 for Waresley.

Ramsey were on the receiving end of a 165-run thumping at Wisbech in a clash of two sides tipped to challenge for honours.

Without suspended skipper Michael Cafferkey, the locals could only limp to 142 in pursuit of their hosts’ imposing 307-7.

Craig Leigh enjoyed the perfect start to his reign as Huntingdon & District skipper.

His men launched the new Whiting & Partners Division Two season with an eight-wicket derby drubbing of depleted Warboys.

Off-spinner Navid Ahmed claimed 4-2 and medium-pacer Waqas Mahmud bagged 3-3 as Warboys were shot out for 117 in just 22 overs.

Liam Gaynor was responsible for almost half of their runs with a smart 57 while skipper and fellow opener, Matt Duncan (21), was the only other man to reach double-figures.

Ahmed (33no) then joined forces with Andrew Wright (36no) as Huntingdon & District powered to victory.

There were more impressive bowling figures at Kimbolton where the hosts saw off newly-promoted Great Shelford by six wickets.

South African ace Jason Redinger announced his arrival on these shores with 4-3 off just 2.4 overs as the visitors were removed for 138.

An unbeaten 65 from Rory Fenton helped Kimbolton ease past their target with the minimum of fuss.

CAMBS & HUNTS PREMIER LEAGUE

Whiting & Partners Division One

GODMANCHESTER TOWN beat ST IVES by 66 runs

Godmanchester Tn 209 (A. Gupta 54, T. Aziz 45, T. McCarthy 5-33, M. Wells 3-29).

St Ives 143 (T. McCarthy 50, M. Speed 35, R. Withey 3-18).

WARESLEY beat EATON SOCON by 5 wkts

Eaton Socon 196-8 (J. Carpenter 61, M. Pateman 31, G. Cole 3-44).

Waresley 197-5 (A. Scully 78).

WISBECH beat RAMSEY by 165 runs

Wisbech 307-7 (J. Cade 3-55).

Ramsey 142.

Division Two

HUNTINGDON & DISTRICT beat WARBOYS by 8 wkts

Warboys 117 (L. Gaynor 57, N. Ahmed 4-2, W. Mahmud 3-3).

Huntingdon & District 118-2 (A. Wright 36no, N. Ahmed 33no, J. Khan 30).

KIMBOLTON beat GREAT SHELFORD by 6 wkts

Great Shelford 138 (J. Redinger 4-3).

Kimbolton 140-4 (R. Fenton 65no).