Willunga got their premiership defence off to the perfect start with a 37-run victory over Goolwa during the opening round of the Great Southern Cricket Association (GSCA) at Willunga Oval on Saturday. Willunga batted first with new skipper Luke Harding (17) and the returning Chad Franceschini (31) adding 30 runs for the first wicket. Franceschini was dismissed with the score at 3/58 which brought gun all-rounder Simon Roberts to the crease. Roberts guided the Willunga innings through to the end with an excellent knock of 67 not out (69 balls) as the Demons posted a competitive total of 7/168 from their 40 overs. Jake Ashton-Place took the bowling honours for Goolwa with figures of 4/42 (8). Goolwa’s run chase started badly with skipper Josh Jones (4) dismissed by Sean McIvor (1/21) with the score at 1/4. Luke Giddings (32) was joined by Jesse Le Ray (15) and this pair added 50 for the second wicket before a collapse of 5/29 saw the Magpies in deep trouble at 6/84. Jesse Consalvo, who crossed from Port Elliot to Goolwa in the off-season, battled hard to top score with 41 not out as Goolwa were restricted to 7/131 from their 40 overs. Roberts bowled a tight spell to finish with 1/11 (8), while Joel Docking (2/17) and Harding (2/36) were the multiple wicket takers for Willunga.

Encounter Bay had a solid four-wicket win at McLaren Districts to begin their 2020/21 campaign on a winning note. The home side batted first and struggled their way to 6/118 from their 40 overs. Skipper Stephen Nairn (27) and Ben Wilcox (20) were the mainstays of the Crushers innings as they added 49 runs for the second wicket. Lachlan Cooper (19 not out) and Ryan McCurrach (13 not out) put on an unbeaten seventh wicket stand worth 31 runs to get the home side up to their final total. Shane Hastings snared 3/19 (8) and was the standout bowler for Encounter Bay. The Bays were under early pressure as they lost two quick wickets to be 2/12. Blake Bailey (23) joined Liam Magor (19) and they added 27 runs for the third wicket but when Bailey was dismissed, the visitors were in strife at 3/39. Skipper Cam Lintern joined Magor in a match-winning stand worth 48 runs for the fourth wicket and despite losing three more wickets, Encounter Bay knocked off the runs in the 37th over. Lintern went on to top score with 50 from 63 balls (5 x 4’s) while Andrew Fechner (3/16) and Nairn (2/12) were the standout bowlers for the Crushers.

Noarlunga took on Port Elliot at home in a rematch of last season's semi-final to begin the season. Port Elliot sent the Shoes in and the move paid early dividends as Anthony Burgess (1) was dismissed by Ben Griffiths (1/24) to leave the home side at 1/2. The dismissal of Burgess brought David Scarff in to join his brother Jason as this pair set about putting up a good total to defend. The partnership was worth 116 runs as Noarlunga looked set for a total of 170+ at one stage. Jason Scarff was dismissed for 59 from 90 balls (8 x 4’s) and the innings stalled due to some fine bowling from Colby Whitbourne who claimed 3/18 from a fiery seven-over spell. David Scarff was the last man dismissed for an excellent 64 from 98 balls (9 x 4’s) as Noarlunga made 7/149 from their 40 overs. The Port Elliot run chase began disastrously with Ethan Spriggs run-out after a direct hit from Matthew Ray from mid wicket. Colby Whitbourne (32) and Brodie Whitbourne (24) had the Bloods well on top at 1/47 in the 12th over before Ray (1/16) removed Colby Whitbourne which triggered a dramatic collapse. Port Elliot lost their last nine wickets for just 38 runs to be bowled out for 85 in the 34th over. Ethan Alderman (4/24) and Jason Scarff (3/6) did all the damage with the ball for the Shoes.

Ladder (after round 1)

Noarlunga 6, Willunga 6, Encounter Bay 6, McLaren Districts 0, Goolwa 0, Port Elliot 0.

Round 2 fixtures (one-day games/home teams named first)

Encounter Bay v Willunga

Goolwa v Port Elliot

Noarlunga v McLaren Districts