SKIPPER Neil Saker was pleased with Reigate Priory's "strength in depth" after securing an opening weekend win against Premier Division new boys Leatherhead.
Saker lost the toss and the Llamas were put in to bat, which seemed to be a good decision with Andy Delmont, Chris Murtagh, Craig Cachopa and Henry Tye all being dismissed before making double figures.
Opener Richie Oliver notched 53 but it was the lower order, including a 34 from the skipper, that rescued Priory.
"We didn't know much about Leatherhead apart from they had Shaun Udal, who played for Hampshire and England," Saker explained. "We got off to a slow start. Richie Oliver played well, but other than that the top order didn't fire. I think it showed strength in depth; when the top order don't fire then the lower order can.
"We responded well; I was pleased with our 194 and then we bowled fantastically."
Last season a poor series of results in the middle of the campaign cost the Llamas a shot at the Premier Division title, but Saker is hoping to be challenging until the final game this time.
"I don't like to set goals for myself or the team," Saker said. "We have a couple of new players and sometimes it takes a while for everyone to gel, but we also have a lot of good friends among our group so I hope it happens for us.
"Really, this season I just want us to be in the competition for the title until the last week. I want us to be in with a sniff, in with a shout, until the last game if we don't win the title.
"Like Liverpool, but without choking towards the end."
