Police 149-1 Rohan Moore claimed four for 21 on his Central Counties debut and captain Dennis Archer and Barry Richards both scored half-centuries as Police opened the defence of their title on Saturday with a comfortable nine-wicket win over Social Club at Police Field.

Social Club batted their 50 overs but were restricted to less than three runs an over after some tight bowling by the Police attack. Moore gave up just 21 in his 10 overs and took three of the first six wickets as the challenge rs found themselves in deep trouble at 75-6.

A seventh wicket stand of 49 -- their biggest of the innings -- between Cecil Tucker and Eddie Benjamin took them to 124 before the last four wickets went down for 23 runs.

Tucker, coming in at 52-4, led the Social Club batting with 38, including four fours and a six, while opener Shawn Spencer scored 34 with six boundaries.

Benjamin, with 10, was the only other batsman in double figures as Archer claimed two for 14 from six overs in the tail-end.

Archer then swung a hot bat for 71 not out, including nine fours and three sixes, as Police wrapped up victory in only 17 overs.

Archer and Richards (59) looked set to wrap up a 10-wicket victory but their opening stand was finally broken on 137 by Spencer who trapped Richards lbw in his only over. Richards hit six fours and two sixes.

Police meet Devonshire Rec. in the second round this Saturday.