IT was great to finally get the season under way on Saturday and even better to kick off with a win.

Everyone in the Greenmount dressing room was happy with the way we played, and I was most pleased with the start our two overseas lads got off to.

Our Australian opener Jonathan Sammut cracked 89 from 78 balls then South African pro Travis Townsend saw us home with a half century.

It is often said the pro is the most important player in any side, but I don't believe the team with the best pro will always win the title.

Sure, it is great if they can hit a century and take a fifer every match, that is what they are paid for after all.

Yet any side that has to rely on a match-winning performance from their pro will be on a sticky wicket in my view.

Greenmount has been fortunate over the years I have been there that they have always had a good pro.

But I believe that a good side, with good amateurs makes for a better pro, rather than the other way around.

If you are a one-man team then your pro will only be able to carry you so far.

Any match they don't perform in or live up to their usual standards, then you will be struggling if other players cannot step up and shoulder some of their responsibility.

Pressure starts to build if they are continually expected to pull you out of the mire, and I have seen pros at other clubs struggle to cope with that pressure.

One of the key things for me is that the pro needs to be welcomed into the dressing room, mix with the rest of the players and enjoy the craic and the banter.

Travis and Jonathan have come over hear from South Africa and Australia, but they have fit right in.

If the local amateurs at the club can make them feel at home then you get so much more out of them.

You want them to have a voice and a presence in the dressing room, so they can pass on their experience and make the team better.

And if they can help on the coaching side of things, not just with the first team but also the youngsters, then the whole club benefits.

I strongly believe we have the right mix again this season, and if our two overseas lads continue to make an impact like they did in our first match then I can see a successful season ahead.