On a scorching hot day in the capital, for Blake Faunce and his Weston Creek Molonglo teammates the scenario was simple at the toss as they strolled into Jamison Oval: win and bat first.
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But as fate would have it would be Western District's Joseph Cooke who would call correctly, and Creek would be fielding.
And to make matters worse with regular skipper John Rogers already out with injury, the visitors would then lose wicketkeeper Josh Low-McMahon to a thumb injury in the warm-up, meaning Djali Bloomfield's old man would field at mid-on.
But losing the toss would become a blessing in disguise, as Creek would dismiss Wests for just 154, spearheaded by the 16-year-old Faunce, claiming 4-41.
Faunce would take the scalp of long-term mentor Blake Dean, caught and bowled for a duck, who introduced the youngster to the art of leg spin.
"I didn't celebrate it that much," Faunce said on claiming the wicket of Dean.
"He was dropped the ball before as well and also said [earlier] 'if he faced me in grade this year he would go for a bit of a slog'.
"I am not sure why, he just doesn't want to give the prodigy any respect," Faunce laughed.
"He hasn't said anything to me today, although he probably will [at training] during the week."
Bloomfield would also back Faunce up, claiming three wickets for the visitors. Robbie Trickett would then finish the day on 59 not out with the stick, seeing Creek only trail by 29 runs at stumps.
"He is always good Robbie, stand in skipper for today and Josh [Myburgh], as well who scored 44 opening the batting, it is really good having them at the top," Faunce said.
Faunce mentioned it was taking key wickets early that has enabled Creek to be in the position they are in over the current competition leaders, but admits it was a struggle at first.
"I think we got their main sticks out quite early and the ball was whooping, we didn't actually start that well ... we all wanted to be batting, but it looks like the right decision now.
"I had been struggling with my run up for a while, it was 14 steps the first couple of balls and I had to shorten it down to 10. I still got called though for a few no-balls.
"But yeah, in the end they were coming out nice, it was turning quite a bit on this pitch."
Meanwhile, Queanbeyan would recover from 6-106, to finish the day all out for 232 against North Canberra-Gungahlin.
Lachlan Whatmough and Finlay McGurk would both claim four wickets for Norths, with Tyler Van Luin was heartbreakingly dismissed on 99 for the second time this season in Queanbeyan's innings.
Shane Devoy would claim four wickets two weeks in a row for Tuggeranong, with Tuggeranong dismissing ANU for 250 at stumps.
Nick Groenwegan top scored for the students with 46.
