The Fleurieu & Districts Zone Junior Cricket carnivals got underway on Sunday with players from throughout the region competing in Under 21 (Figg Cup), Under 15 (Calaby Shield) and Under 13 (Fuller Shield) age groups. Hills Cricket Association (HCA), Murray Towns Cricket Association (MTCA), Great Southern Cricket Association (GSCA), Kangaroo Island Cricket Association (KICA), Alexandra & Eastern Hills Cricket Association (AEHCA) and Torrens Valley Cricket Association (TVCA) are the competing associations.

In the Figg Cup, Kangaroo Island doesn't have a team competing this season so the reigning champion, Torrens Valley, had a round one bye. It was a low scoring affair at Hahndorf Oval as the GSCA took on AEHCA with Alexandra & Eastern Hills winning a tight game by just six runs. Langhorne Creek bowler Adam Clements was the star for Alexandra & Eastern Hills taking match-winning figures of 6/28 from his 10 overs. In the other game at Heathfield Oval, Hills defeated Murray Towns by 85 runs. Kangarilla youngster Cole Davy whacked 61 from just 37 balls for the Hills side while Flagstaff Hill bowler Jack Walton was a star with the ball snaring 4/12 as Hills moved through to the second round.

In the Calaby Shield, Torrens Valley doesn't have a team competing this season so the reigning champion, Alexandra & Eastern Hills, had a round one bye. Hills got their campaign off to a winning start by defeating Murray Towns by 39 runs at Johnstone Park in Murray Bridge. Aldgate’s Thomas McCourt top scored for Hills with 29 while Mannum’s Declan Gladigau was excellent with the ball for the home side as he snared 3/23 from his nine overs. MTCA needed 136 for victory but could only manage 9/96 with Gladigau continuing his good day as he top scored with 24. Aldgate duo Felix Farmer (2/5) and Pete Bowen (2/12), along with Bridgewater’s Finlay Sullivan-Llewellyn (2/17) did most of the damage for the HCA with the ball. In the other game, Great Southern had a big win over Kangaroo Island by 137 runs at Penneshaw Oval. The GSCA boys batted first and were bowled out in the 43rd over for an excellent score of 275. Mount Compass youngster Lochie Nash top scored with 65. KI’s Wade Berden took 5/68 from his nine over spell. Jackson Lockett (39) and Berden (32) tried hard for KI but ultimately they were bowled out for 138 in the 42nd over. Mount Compass’ Rilee Endersby continued his fine season as he took 2/6 (6) for Great Southern.

In the Fuller Shield, Hills had a good win over Alexandra & Eastern Hills (1) by 45 runs at Meadows Oval. Hills batted first and the innings was anchored by Uraidla’s Jay Temme who made 47. Hanhdorf’s Noah Dunn (2/5) was the best of the AEHCA bowlers. The AEHCA run chase never got going as they were bowled out for just 81 in the 33rd over. Stirling’s James Clarke (2/11) and Onkaparinga’s Liam Kemp (2/20) were the multiple wicket takers for the HCA. Alexandra & Eastern Hills (2) had a solid nine-wicket win over Murray Towns with the MTCA only managing a meagre score of 42 with Strathalbyn’s Tyler Smith claiming the excellent figure of 4/1. AEHCA (2) had no trouble knocking off the runs with Bremer-Callington’s Mitchell Westrych top scoring with 17 not out. In the final match of round one, Great Southern defeated Kangaroo Island by 99 runs.

Round two matches will be played on Sunday 9 February with the finals on Sunday 23 February