In his first match back in the competition, the former New City player smashed 81 not out and took 3-12 as the reigning premier charged to an emphatic victory.

Albury coach Luke Styles conceded the Burrumbuttock all-rounder was unstoppable once he got his eye in.

“He was super,” Styles said.

“We had a chance to run him out for a duck and he made us pay. He’s a good cricketer.

“I thought we bowled alright even though they got away from us late.”

Lavington made 7-180 off its 20 overs with I’Anson and fellow recruit Nathan Smith (29) impressing with the bat.

Albury struggled in the chase against the Panthers’ pace attack with Ross Dixon topscoring in a one-off appearance.

I'Anson wasn’t the only recruit to shine first-up.

East Albury’s Ryan de Vries bowled well in his long-awaited debut against Wodonga Raiders at Wilson Oval.

After injuring his knee during pre-season last year, de Vries finally got his chance and didn’t disappoint as the Crows won by three wickets.

“He took two wickets and bowled really well,” East Albury coach Dylan Weeding said.

“It was a slow wicket and he put the ball in the right places.”

Chasing a modest 8-87, East Albury scored the winning runs with two balls to spare thanks to solid knocks from Weeding and Sean Barrett.

St Patrick’s withstood a late barrage from Dilhara Lokuhettige to take the honours against Tallangatta at Xavier.

After making 3-133, the Patties looked to be coasting with the visitors slumping to 5-60.

Lokuhettige then hammered a quickfire 45 to see the Bushies fall just seven runs short of a memorable victory.

Neil Smith (71) and Kane Arendarcikas (31) batted well for St Patrick’s.

Boom Wodonga recruit Cameron Suidgeest made a solid debut for the Bulldogs in their nine-wicket win over New City.

Suidgeest bowled with good pace in taking 0-19 while teammate Leo McGhee proved the destroyer as New City mustered only 7-83.

Wodonga reeled in the total with a minimum of fuss thanks to solid knocks from Mitch Dinneen (43 not out) and Jack Craig (21 not out).

“We didn’t turn the strike over well enough,” coach Steve McLennan said.

“It’s not about the fours and sixes, it’s about the ones and twos.

“I was happy with our guys and we just have to believe in ourselves.”

North Albury started the season with a win by chasing down Belvoir’s score of 9-145 with 10 balls to spare at Bunton Park.

Ben Paddle and Ash Borella scored half-centuries for the victors.

Earlier, John Spencer blazed 67 off 45 balls for the Eagles and Mick Russell chipped in with 32.