Port Elliot reversed the result of last season’s Grand Final with a 51-run win against Noarlunga at Old Noarlunga as the Great Southern Cricket Association competition got underway on Saturday. Port Elliot batted first and got away to a good start through Hayden Gordge (20) and Finn Hayden (19), however a steady flow of wickets after the opening stand saw Port Elliot slump to 6/65. Scott Hannam (25) joined Bloods skipper Joel Harris at the crease to add a valuable 34 runs for the seventh wicket. Tyson Somerfield (15 not out) then added an unbeaten 38-run stand with Harris as Port Elliot posted a competitive total of 7/137 from their 40 overs. Harris continued on to top score with 40 not out. Debutant Patrick Connolly took 3/18 from seven overs for Noarlunga, while skipper Chad Parrish snared 2/13 (8). The Shoes were never in the run chase with only one batsman, Cam Bullard, reaching double figures. Bullard top scored with an excellent 58, but he received little support as the home side were bundled out for 86 in the 34th over. Sam White, on ‘A’ grade debut, took 4/27 from his eight overs, while off-spinner Ben Griffiths snared 3/12 (3.4). 

Willunga got their season off to an excellent start after defeating Goolwa by 33 runs at Willunga on Saturday. The Demons batted first with Luke Harding (24) and Simon Roberts (18) making handy contributions before their side was in trouble at 5/75. The returning Chad Franceschini was joined by Shaun Anderson (20), and this pair added 68 runs for the sixth wicket as Willunga reached 6/149 from their 40 overs. Franceschini continued on to top score with a hard-hitting 57 not out. Nick Cuconits (3/41) and Jake Kuss (2/12) were the multiple wicket takers for Goolwa. The Magpies were in early trouble at 3/27, and then 6/58, before Jayden Crees (25) and Andy Evans (19) added 26 runs for the seventh wicket to give Goolwa some hope. However, the Magpies eventually came up short at 9/116. Finlay Seers (3/19), Roberts (3/20) and Matthew Bolton (2/21) were the multiple wicket takers for Willunga. 

Encounter Bay sent an early warning to the competition with a comprehensive eight-wicket win against McLaren Districts. The day started well for the Crushers with Zac Hodges (27) and Daniel Bruce (19) putting on 47 runs for the first wicket. After that it was all Encounter Bay with only McLaren Districts’ skipper Jim Ryan (26) showing any resistance as his side were bowled out for 90. Chis Butler (3/10), Matt Overall (3/15) and Kieran Garrett (2/19) were the multiple wicket takers for the Bays. Encounter Bay made the required target with minimal fuss with 11 overs to spare. Sam Hoffmann (39), Jason Parry (27 not out) and Overall (22 not out) were the leading batsmen for Encounter Bay. Jett Holberton (1/4) and Ryan (1/24) were the wicket takers for the Crushers. 

Mount Compass defeated Yankalilla by 37 runs at Burgess Oval to get their 2023/24 campaign off to a perfect start. ‘Compass’ batted first and posted a competitive total of 7/151 from their 40 overs with Rilee Endersby top scoring with 38 (5 x 4’s, 1 x 6). Joe Tyllis (3/40), Jacob Parsons (2/18) and Chris Clark (2/19) were the pick of the Yankalilla bowlers. Yankalilla got themselves into a good position in the run chase as they reached 1/58 with Tyllis (32) and Clark (21) adding 48 runs for the second wicket. After that it was all Mount Compass as ‘Yank’ lost their last 9/56 to be bowled out for 114 in the 24th over. Troy Smedley (23 not out) and Aaron Smith (15) were the only other Yankalilla batsmen to reach double figures. Five Mount Compass bowlers took wickets with debutant Manjula Fernando (3/14) leading the way. Josh Dalitz (2/14), Nilanga Fernando (2/18) and Endersby (2/25) were the other multiple wicket takers for the Bulls. 

2022/23 finalist Myponga-Sellicks started their season in style with a seven-wicket win against Victor Harbor at Myponga on Saturday. ‘Victor’ batted first and posted 4/124 from their 40 overs. Skipper Josh Boyko led the way with 55 from 90 balls (4 x 4’s, 1 x 6), while opener Patrick Sroka made 24. Vinnie Nizzola (1/19), Kym Dooley (1/21) and Ben Hutchinson (1/28) were the wicket takers for the Mudlarks, while Mitch Farquhar bowled a restrictive spell of 0/6 from his eight overs. Victor Harbor gave themselves a chance as they reduced the Mudlarks to 3/52 in the run chase, before experienced left-hander Michael Tomlinson (49 not out) and Cam Turner (39 not out) came together for a 77-run stand to see their side home with 10 overs to spare. 

Round 2 fixtures (one-day games)

Port Elliot v McLaren Districts

Goolwa v Noarlunga

Yankalilla v Myponga-Sellicks

Encounter Bay v Willunga

Victor Harbor v Mount Compass