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Bayer Marist picked up where they left off in last season's Wanganui Premier League campaign with a four-wicket win over Property Brokers United on Saturday's opening day of the 2014 competition.
Playing on the Victoria Park No4 pitch, which is recovering after boy racers ran rough-shod over it two weeks ago, the one-day champions United could not capitalise on the start from their in-form openers Tom Lance and Chris Sharrock, being dismissed for 200 after the Kinnerlys Fraser and Ross got amongst them to pick up nine wickets collectively.
Marist lost two balls into the trees as Lance cut loose for 71, backed by Sharrock's 44.
However Fraser Kinnerly got through to Lance's stumps and as well as dismissing Sharrock, he then snatched a caught-and-bowled on United captain Max Carroll, the tally of 6-52 from 14 overs being amongst his best ever senior figures.
"I don't think I ever have [before]. Got a few five-fors in junior cricket," Fraser Kinnerly said.
"It was just moving off the pitch the one to Tom moved completely, so there was no chance."
The Kinnerlys combined with Fraser taking the catch off Ross (3-55 from 12) to get another danger man in Brendan Walker, who moved up to No5 in the order after some good runs in the tail at club and representative level.
Unable to follow up on their openers, a number of United batsman got starts but no one could contribute 20 or more to the total.
"We just got out to stupid shots," said Carroll. "We were there and just didn't apply ourselves and shanked it."
Fraser Kinnerly completed a very good day by opening the batting and scoring 54, making a patient start after three maiden overs before getting his eye in and swatting eight boundaries and three sixes.
Lance's spinners came in for some brutal treatment, with one over conceeding 26 runs.
However, United veteran Jamie Whiteman was cagey from the other end and picked up five wickets - inducing a number of Marist batsmen into poor strokes right down a fielder's throat.
A close caught-behind appeal on Marist's John McIllraith being turned down led to a colourful exchange between batsman and fielders.
From 79-3, things got anxious for Marist as Fraser Kinnerly was run out by Whiteman shortly after the drinks break, then the big United veteran picked up his five-for to leave the match precariously placed at 137-6 after 26 overs.
However, Marist captain Mark Fraser played his usual steady hand and in partnership with Sam O'Leary, saw his team through to their target by the 35th over.
Marist had finished runnerup last season to Matt Burke Engineering Marton Saracens, as both teams defeated United after they failed to make a smooth transition from the one-day competition over to the red-ball Premier League.
Saracens made a good start in their attempt to retain the title with a 63-run win over St Johns Tech down in Marton on Saturday.
Put in to bat, Saracens made 266 and then dismissed the visitors for 203, leaving Tech with a bonus point.