Lee Gallienne races in to bowl the opening overs for Division One new-boys Strollers at Port Soif. Tim de Putron is the non-striker. (Picture by Steve Sarre, 0769163)

MARK JEFFERIES and his Optimists side gave Strollers a brutal welcome to Division One cricket last night.

On a chilly, murky night at Port Soif, the top flight’s newcomers found out just what a step up in class it is, especially with several of their star promotion performers from last year unavailable.

‘I am without my top seven,’ captain Lee Gallienne said with a look of resignation in between innings after his side had been put to the sword in the field with Optimists racking up a mammoth 175 from their 16 overs.

After Tim de Putron and Andy Biggins had given their side a typically positive start with an opening stand of 58, Jefferies came in at three and played his shots from the off.

He rattled up a rapid 72 not out, including four crisply struck leg-side sixes to go with his five fours.

Jake Le Marchant gave him useful middle order support as Strollers were made to pay for some inconsistent bowling.

They will no doubt soon realise that keeping it on off stump is the key to tying sides down.