New coach and ex-England international Aftab Habib has put the players through their paces during the winter and although many familiar faces were absent the Boars side contained five debutants who all performed well.

Eastcote won the toss and unsurprisingly chose to bowl in the early season conditions. Eversley lost stand-in captain Phil Wise to Matt Savage in the third over and were in trouble when Jack Ford followed soon after.

However, an excellent partnership between former Ireland Under 19, James Magowan (31), and Tom Howarth (56) steadied the innings.

This was Howarth’s first senior half century for the side and coupled with his impressive performance behind the stumps he is likely to play a big role this season.

The introduction of leg spin in the form of Eastcote’s overseas player, appropriately named James Rosewarne, slowed the innings.

He picked up the impressive figures of 6-40, and at 148-6, Eversley were in trouble before useful contributions from Ibane Sayed (24) and a cameo from Jack Sever (18), pictured right, meant the visitors eventually posted 200 from their 45 overs.

In reply Eastcote’s pair of left-handed openers started solidly, and despite impressive bowling from Jack Sever they progressed steadily to 31-0 in the first nine overs.

As the pitch flattened out Eversley were forced to turn to spin earlier than expected, and with both vice-captains Chris Last and Cameron Hutcheon on work duty with Reading Football Club, this gave the chance to John Turner who extracted turn and bounce in an impressive spell where he beat the bat several times and deserved more.

Finally, with the score on 126, Sayed picked up the wicket of Harpal Sagoo (67), but Eastcote were by now a long way ahead of the rate and cruised to victory with more than 10 overs to spare with Tim Budd unbeaten on 66.

Eversley travel to Ashford for another friendly on Saturday and will welcome back captain Scott Dyer.

l Eversley 2nds suffered a heavy 131-run defeat at Eastcote 2nds.

The hosts racked up an imposing 351 in their 45 overs, before the Boars reached 220. Lewis Sharpe impressed with the ball and later made a half century.

There was a ray of light for the Boars as their 3rds recorded a convincing win against Berkshire Cricket League Division Two side Earley at Cross Green.

Across the three sides, Eversley gave debuts to nine players on Saturday.