His seven wickets and a patient 44 from Mark Bamford ensured Chichester claimed all 30 points on offer at home to Three Bridges.

It sets up Jes Goode's team nicely for this Saturday's derby visit to Stirlands.

Chichester entered their first game concerned at a lack of preparation after a washout pre-season, but excited over a new-look side keen to build on the promotion success of 2007.

New captain Goode won the toss and asked the visitors to bat on a typical early-season wicket.

Three Bridges were soon in trouble through fine bowling from Daniel Joseph (3-32) and Austerbury.

The pair reduced Three Bridges to 20 for three and wickets continued to fall at regular intervals.

Even a spirited tenth-wicket partnership could only take them to 84 all out – down mainly to a faultless bowling performance from Austerbury (7 for 25).

Dave Leaver played his part behind the stumps with catches to remove the top five batsmen.

Chichester started poorly in reply. John Edwards went in the first over and Tim Bishop followed to leave the score six for two.

Goode departed with the score on 20 but Leaver (14) staged a mini-revival with Bamford and they took the score to 66 before Leaver was lost.

Opener Bamford played a match-winning innings of 44, hitting a six and two fours off a Nick Creed over which made the game safe.

Tom Butt and Bamford both went, but the win was sealed in the 28th over.

Goode said: "It was a nice start but we won't get carried away."

After going to Stirlands, Chichester host the Sussex development X1 at home on Sunday.