Last season's all-conquering Scorpions got their new campaign off to the worst possible start when they lost the Hong Kong Cricket Club derby to Optimists as the expanded 10-team Sunday League got underway yesterday.
Mark Fuzes hit the first century of the season as Optimists trounced their sister-side by a resounding 10 wickets.
Fuzes, who was the top run-getter for the Optimists last season, immediately found his touch with the bat as he spanked an unbeaten 135 and figured in a match-winning partnership of 184 with fellow-opener Mark Eames, who made 35.
Scorpions, who are the defending Sunday League as well as Sunday Cup champions, had earlier been bowled out for 180. Hong Kong captain Tim Smart top-scored with 61 with the only other worthwhile contributor being Nick Gavin-Brown, who was unfortunate to be out four runs short of a well-deserved half-century.
Fuzes played a huge role in the bowling department as well, taking three for 46 off 10 overs.
Ex-England international Phil DeFreitas played in the league competition for Scorpions last season and played a huge role in their victorious campaign. His absence this time will find them hard-pressed to defend their titles.