While bowlers struggled to hit the right lines and fielders dropped a couple of inexpensive catches, NTOB coach Dale Smidt was happy with his batsmen after NOBM "thrashed us around a little bit" in 55 overs.
NTOB comeback kid Jurgen Anderson claimed a five-wicket bag while Sri Lankan import Indika Senarathne took 2-56.
For NOBM, Harry Ghodke carved up 80 runs, including nine boundaries, and CD Stag Andrew Mathieson scored 75 from 84 balls, including 13 fours.
In reply, the top five batsmen of Matt Edmondson (65 runs), leftie Josh Paerau (37), Greg Hay (54no), Senarathne (36) and skipper Liam Rukuwai (26no) made it look pedestrian.
The villagers had United Travel Taradale padding up before restricting them to 177 all out in 52.3 overs in their three-wicket victory. CD spinner Ajaz Patel made 50 from 46 balls while Callum Hewetson contributed 35 to the collective's cause.
Quickie Kurt Richards returned from semi-retirement to collect four scalps and six maidens but medium pacer Jeremy Ketel won the frugality stakes with 3-23, including five maidens, from 12 overs.
Like NTOB, Havelock eclipsed the target in 35.1 overs for the loss of seven wickets.
Opener Ruan Markram scored 57 from 48 balls and No5 Kyle Burlace was looking unflappable with an unbeaten 50 on debut.
For Dale, seamer Ben Stoyanoff and Vance Morris took two wickets each.
"The batting was positive but the highlight was Burlace, a Karamu Boys' High student who only turned 16 last month," said Havelock North coach Derek Stirling.
"I've seen lots of kids in Hawke's Bay in the past 15 years or so and this boy's got talent for someone who just popped his head up in prem cricket to face Stoyanoff's pace," said the former international, who felt Taradale would be a force this summer.
CHB and Heretaunga Building Society Cornwall appeared to have gone down to the wire although Central co-coach Mike Lewis begged to differ in their four-wicket win.
Cornwall were skittled for 209 in 51 overs with No7 Jonathon Hall scoring 85, including eight fours and three sixes, and opener Ben Wilson adding 33.
South African import player/coach GC Pretorious took 4-58 with his leg spin, while Blair Tickner took 3-29 and captain Angus Schaw snared 2-69.
In overhauling the target, CHB found Cornwall's five overs handy to reach 210-6 in 56 overs.
McPherson scored 32 and Pretorious 39 before veteran James Mackie (44 runs) forged a sixth-wicket partnership with CD skipper/wicketkeeper Kruger van Wyk, who was 59 not out.
Charley Crasborn took 3-27 and Hall 2-60 for Cornwall.
"We're happy with the first-up win but we have a lot to work on," Lewis said.
CHB, he said, had yet to have a decent training session, bar indoors, with players wearing CD shirts in the trial match against Auckland Aces last week.
"We should have got Cornwall out cheaper than that," said Lewis but mindful they had some players in the teeting phase.
