It was a miracle in of itself that any play was possible considering the recent weather and the package of almost entirely wet weather since the 2023 season closed out and it was testament to the hard work from the groundstaff and other volunteers leading up to the game that not only was play possible but the deck showed good signs of carry.

Oliver made light work of the bowler friendly conditions sharing in an opening stand of 43 with Waqas Akhter (18) and 62 with Joe Charity, who also looked in good order before being sold down the river for a quick single and was well short of his ground for 29.

Having been culpable in the run out of Charity, Oliver made good on making amends as he picked up regular boundaries and constantly put the Ibstock bowlers under pressure as he added 81 with Micky Ruddle (27) before completing his century during a lightning stand of 72 with Australian Zac Wills.

Oliver passed his hundred during this alliance and would finish unbeaten on 117 from 135 balls with five maximums and eight boundaries to boot - driving strongly down the ground throughout his innings.

Wills, also on his Sileby debut, took a few deliveries to get the pace of things before unfurling a barrage of savage blows in a 20-ball 43 with five sixes and one four as he put the Ibstock attack well and truly to the sword.

With talk of 160 being a good score early on in the innings, skipper Steven Ingram would have been delighted with the 263 for 5 his side posted - especially having been asked to bat first.

The second innings was something of a procession with Ingram himself being the chief benefactor.

The left-armer built on the three early incisions made by the Preston brothers to bag 6-26, blowing through the middle order in double-quick time.

Chris Preston (1-13) struck first, removing Matt Sharp (6), and that was followed by two quick strikes from Nathan Preston (2-16) that left the visitors reeling at 33 for 4.

From then on it was all about the left-armers with Ingram bagging five more to add to his earlier strike and Sam Gale (1-9) also got in on the act to dismiss Ibstock for 65 and seal a 198 run victory.

Ingram was delighted after the match: "It was the perfect start to the season and brilliant to see the debutants settle in to the team and make massive contributions to the win."

"Also a massive thank you to the ground staff and volunteers for working tirelessly to manage to get the game on in the first place," he added.

When asked about his own performance "I'm just happy to contribute to the win for the team."

The 2s will be looking to make it two from two as they travel to Park Road to face Loughborough Town 2s next weekend, who were one of the sides unable to take the field due to the impact of the weather.