While it wasn't a do-or-die situation, the Cougars were desperate to open their account after losing their opening two matches of the season.

Cougars captain Haydn Pascoe said it was a relief to have some points on the board.

"It feels pretty good to get the win," he said.

"Hopefully we can build on this.

"There's a bit of confidence in the team now because we know we can do it."

After losing the toss and being sent into the field, the Cougars made light work of the Hanwood top order to have the home side reeling at 6-44.

A quick kill looked on the cards, but Tom West and Charlie Cunial had other ideas and dug in to frustrate Cougars' bowlers.

The pair combined for a valuable 27-run stand to boost Hanwood to 90 and give last season's wooden spooners a shot at claiming back-to-back victories.

In reply, Cougars appeared to be cruising after making it to 0-26, but a top-order collapse left them 4-35 and on the brink of disaster.

It was suddenly game on, but Fletcher Josling (20 not out) and Will Kennedy (19) steadied for Cougars before Chris Mansell scored a rapid-fire 16 not out to finish off the chase.

Pascoe said Josling and Kennedy deserved much of the credit for the win.

"I thought they batted really well," he said.

"We lost four wickets for not very many runs at one stage, but they came together and just about got us over the line."