A sterling opening partnership between Rob Quiney and Chris Rogers laid down the foundation for an easy Victorian run chase against New South Wales in the Ford Ranger Cup on Sunday at North Sydney Oval.
Set a very competitive target of 276 for victory by the Blues, Victoria clinched the victory with five wickets and 25 balls to spare.
Quiney (92 off 85 balls) and Rogers (74) produced a sensational 150-run stand for the first wicket off just 24 overs.
Quiney continued his blistering start to the domestic summer blasting nine boundaries and three sixes while the Western Australian recruit registered seven fours as well.
NSW fought back to some degree to take 4-86 off the 18 overs that followed Quiney's dismissal (he was caught and bowled by Aaron Bird).
Grant Lambert (2-54) led the charge for the Blues in this period claiming the important scalp of Rogers (lbw) as well as Andrew McDonald (bowled) for nine.
However, with the Vics on 5-236, David Hussey (51 not out) combined with Aiden Blizzard (29 not out) to steer the visitors home to a comfortable win.
Hussey secured the win in style with a six that also saw him notch up a half-century.
Bird was the other leading wicket-taker for the New South Wales with 2-57.
Earlier, Dominic Thornely smashed 108 for the Blues - including seven sixes and five boundaries - off just 90 balls.
But his superb century ultimately wasn't enough despite leading New South Wales to a healthy score of 6-275.
Thornely was well supported by opener Phillip Hughes and Usman Khawaja who were strong contributors with 55 and 45 runs respectively.
McDonald was the pick of the Victorian bowlers with 2-57 off his 10 overs, while Dirk Nannes, Damien Wright and Hussey all chimed in witch a wicket each.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, the Blues made a steady but slow start, with Hughes starting the better of the two batsmen.
Peter Forrest was the first wicket to fall after McDonald took a superb catch at cover from the bowling of Wright.
McDonald was involved again in the second wicket, this time catching Hughes off-guard with a slower delivery that the left-hander could only spoon into the grateful hands of McDonald.
Moises Henriques came to the crease but didn't last too long after a mix-up with Khawaja left him stranded well short of his crease.
McDonald struck again in the 34th over, this time combining with Clint McKay to remove the dangerous Khawaja.
Daniel Smith was the next wicket to fall, caught by Rogers at long-on from the bowling of McKay.
But Thornely remained at the crease and smashed yet another six off Hussey to notch up a well-deserved century in the 49th over - although Hussey would get revenge just three balls later when Blizzard caught Thornely deep at long-on.