The Border Bullets put some average batting performances behind them to cruise to a six-wicket win over Murrumbidgee in their opening round Regional Bash clash on Sunday.
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With coach Daryl Tuffey putting the acid on his top-order in the lead-up to the match, the Bullets responded by chasing down 5-141 with three overs to spare at Xavier Oval.
Opener Ash Borella bludgeoned 47 to set the tone with Jack Craig (26), Tarisai Musakanda (25 not out) and Romario Greaves (23 not out) providing support.
It was an impressive performance after highly-rated Murrumbidgee batsmen Theo Valeri smashed 78 earlier in the day to catch the eye of Riverina coach Trent Ball.
"I put our guys on notice to lift with the bat and they did a great job today," Tuffey said.
I put our guys on notice to lift with the bat and they did a great job today. It was a pleasing way to start
- Daryl Tuffey
"It was a good chase.
"Ash Borella and 'Craigy' (Jack Craig) set it up really nicely and then Tarisai Musakanda and Romario Greaves finished off well.
"It was a pleasing way to start."
With Wodonga's Tom Johnson being caught at cover in the opening over, Borella refused to go into his shell.
He clubbed three fours and three sixes, enjoying a slice of luck when he was caught 30 centimetres behind the boundary line.
Borella faced only 29 deliveries and was dismissed with the run chase well under control.
Musakanda, who made 125 for New City against reigning premier North Albury on Saturday, looms as the signing of the provincial season after oozing class in his knock.
