A successful run chase, a ­successful defence and a three-run thriller were the outcomes from round one of the Maitland and District Cricket Association first grade competition.

Mercury sports ­journalist Josh Callinan takes a closer look from around the grounds at the 2013-2014 season opener.

Kurri Weston have welcomed the return of Jake Gordon with the left-hander’s unbeaten 91 steering his side to a comfortable five-wicket win against Western Suburbs.

In his first game back since the 2010-2011 grand final Gordon cashed in and after coming in at No.5 guided the home team past the 210 required after just 42 overs.

“Gordo [Gordon] hit them well first game back,” Kurri Weston skipper Tyler Power said.

“He was nailing them and smashed something like seven sixes.

“Hopefully that helps to keep him interested because that is half the battle.”

The 21-year-old switched back to his junior base at Kurri Weston after being part of the City United minor-major premiership double in 2008-2009.

Before that he had skippered the Weston first XI in his teenage years and was heavily involved in junior representative squads for Maitland, Hunter Valley and Central North.

But he has played little to no cricket the past two seasons only to announce his comeback in emphatic fashion at Kurri Central on Saturday.

Gordon came to the crease at 3-96 after Simon Marshall (49), Casey Capper (0) and Josh Tuckwell (29) had already fallen to the Plovers, who were defending the 209 they posted on day one.

Kurri Weston opener Jack Bennett (15) fell one run later and became the third victim of Plovers medium-pacer Luke Merchant (3-48).

But it was Gordon who stole the show from there with Angus Watt (9) the only other Kurri Weston wicket to fall on day two.

Steve Abel chipped in with 15 not out after taking match-best figures of 4-57 a week earlier but Gordon ­dominated the second session.

Gordon scored 91 of Kurri Weston’s final 117 runs to earn the hosts four valuable competition points with 38 overs to spare and five wickets in hand.

This capped off an impressive all-round display according to the Kurri Weston captain, who said the victory was made possible by the bowling efforts of last week.

“It was a really good win a good start to the season but it was set up by our bowlers,” Power said.

“It was a pretty flat track and there wasn’t much in it for the bowlers so 210 was probably under par last week.

“To keep them to that, especially when we were down a bowler after Robbie [Sidebottom] got injured, was the most pleasing part.”

Mark Curran (1-54), who was on debut for the Plovers after moving to the club from Charlestown, and all-rounder Andrew Trappel (1-16) were the other wicket takers for Wests.