After last season's decider was washed out, it looked at one stage like as repeat could be on the cards for Saturday's season opener.

But fortunately the wickets were prepared before the rain arrived on Friday, and while No.1 Oval was out of action they were able to move to Riverside 3.

The game was however shortened to 32 overs with play getting underway just after 2pm.

Looking to take advantage of the conditions, Old Boys skipper Ben Middlebrook elected to send Wests in. It didn't quite bear the fruit he'd hoped with Wests 0-49 after nine overs.

"It (deck) was a little bit poppy but didn't play too bad," he said.

"We probably didn't bowl in the right areas on a wet track."

Enter Sands, the veteran taking three wickets in his first over, and another the first ball of his next to spark a collapse.

"His opening spell really did a trick for us," Middlebrook said.

He said the wicket probably suited him.

"He put ball in the right areas and being a bit slower they tried to go after him," he said.

Backing up from the under-17 Male National Championships where he played for ACT/NSW Country, Landan Price "had a rough opening spell" but bounced back to clean up the tail and finish with 3-23.

Middlebrook said he "didn't quite get it right" early on but was pleased to see the way he rectified that when he got his chance again.

"He bowled stump to stump and got the job done for us," he said.

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James Austin chimed also in with 2-15 and Hayden Baker, on debut, 1-26 as Old Boys bowled Wests out for 134.

Opener Dave Mudaliar was Wests' top-scorer with 27, closely followed by captain Shaun Stevenson (26).

After a some typical fireworks from Simon Norvill (29 off 21) at the top of the order, McGuirk then pick up where he left off last season to steer them to 6-136 in reply.

"He was probably the only bloke who really stuck his hand up," Middlebrook said.

"His innings held us together and got us the win."

His 53-ball 61 included five fours and two sixes and saw them home with over 10 overs to spare to earn a bonus point.

"We've got a bit to improve," Middlebrook said.

"First game a few guys were a bit scratchy but we got the win."

Harrison Kelly was the main destroyer claiming 4-29.

Also the TDCA president, Middlebrook said the council did a great job to not only get Riverside 3 and Riverside 5 (which was used for the South Tamworth/Bective East game) up but ensure that all games could go ahead.

"To play all four grades was a great effort," he said, paying particular thanks to Trent Harding (TRC, Sports Supervisor) and Adam Jones (TRC, CBD Supervisor) for their efforts.