Conditions were perfect for batting on Saturday afternoon at The Cloughan, and the home side took full advantage of the lightning fast outfield to post 288 for 4, and then proceeded to restrict the city side to 234 for 6 in this Division 1 Section 3 fixture.
If Colin Morrow had realised that he was just three short of his century he probably would have made a different shot selection, but in going for his twelfth boundary he was caught on 97, in an impressive innings that included five sixes.
His partner Richard Greer was also in fine form, and with the help of seven boundaries he amassed 79 before falling leg before.
James Jackson (19) and Robert Smith (11) both sacrificed their wickets in the chase for runs, but the experienced partnership of Neil Reynolds (24 not out) and skipper Artie Campbell (32 not out), who had what turned out to be a match-winning unbeaten partnership of 62 runs, ensured that Templepatrick set the visitors quite a formidable target.
Promising teenage pace bowler Gareth Boyd made the initial breakthrough with only six on the board, but M Javed threatened to spoil Templepatrick's chances with a series of boundaries, before falling to James Jackson after knocking up 74.
M Jarvis also scored freely, but after he fell for 46 Cregagh's chances diminished considerably, and their innings closed on 234 for 6.
Spinner Keith Wilson was tops in the bowling department with three wickets, while Robert Smith, James Jackson and Gareth Boyd weighed in with one apiece.
Commenting, Artie Campbell said: "We set the standard by putting runs on the board, so thereafter economy was the name of the game, rather than taking wickets. Once again the mobility of our fielders cut off numerous apparently boundary-bound shots on an extremely fast outfield.
"Richard Greer and Colin Morrow got us off to the best possible start with that 182 stand. As far as can be ascertained this is a club record for the first wicket, and it was unfortunate that Colin fell just three short of what would have been a deserved century.
"This was our third straight win, and I can't remember ever having such a successful start to the season, so hopefully this augurs well for the future."
This weekend Templepatrick travel to Dungannon on Saturday, and this will be followed by the local derby with Academy on Sunday at a venue still to be decided, and league points will be at stake on each occasion.