Mount Gambier has started its respective Burdon and Kerr Shield campaigns strong on a big Sunday of junior cricket.

The Burdon and Kerr Shields were brought back to life last weekend when four games were played simultaneously around the Limestone Coast.

The respective Under 15 and 13 competitions are vital parts of the junior pathways in the South East with all corners fielding their top talent.

Familiar foes Mount Gambier and Millicent faced off to start the Burdon Shield with a bang battling out a tense low-scoring affair.

Playing on home turf at McLaughlin Park, Millicent batted first and looked set to post a big score despite the early loss of captain Sam Hunt.

Eli Hunter and Ashton Lindner put the innings back on track by digging in for the long haul and batting to the situation.

The pair brilliantly reconsolidated the innings from the potentially deadly 1/2 to 1/91, but once Hunter’s gutsy 36 was finished by Toby Grigg, the game turned once again.

Mount Gambier went on the attack and cut through the middle like a knife through hot butter.

The hosts lost 9/66 and slumped to all out 157 with little substance surrounding Lindner’s 80-ball 42.

Elwood Geary and Archer Virtanen were the antagonists behind the collapse taking two poles to lead a consistent bowling effort.

The good work done by Mount Gambier’s bowlers opened the door for the batters, but the run chase was not quite a smooth ride.

Openers Robbie Case and Angus Clarke settled the nerves in the dressing room slicing 31 runs off the target.

Although the pair followed each other back to the pavilion in quick succession, the platform was laid and Jayden Beforeok off.

With Geary as a rear gunner, Prior gave the run chase some extra momentum propelling Mount Gambier well past the halfway mark and in the box seat.

Unfortunately Ned Skeer removed him two runs short of a half century, but Brodie Pfitzner picked up where the number three left off.

Pfitzner scored at an even greater clip and looked primed to guide Mount Gambier home to a comfortable win, but Millicent was not going to give up.

A trio of late wickets gave Millicent a sniff, but it was too little too late as Pfitzner’s unbeaten 35 sealed the deal by three wickets.

The other Burdon Shield contest followed a similar pattern with the visitors overwhelming the hosts.

Naracoorte batted first on home turf and its openers looked to enjoy a solid start until a mix up brought their good work undone.

It sent a shockwave through the innings as Tatiara struck at regular intervals.

Hamish Davies was the leader of the attack taking three wickets from his four overs, while Sam Lovelock took two.

Only two batters could reach double figures as Naracoorte was restricted to 91 all out after 35.5 tough overs.

The game was not won however, as Naracoorte went on the attack with the new ball.

Lewis Green, Hamish Davis and Liam Mooney all fell cheaply and suddenly the run chase was at risk with the scoreboard reading 3/26.

But the nerves were smashed away Brayden Pilgrim (31) and William Harvey (28) who rose to the occasion.

The pair iced the game with a well-constructed partnership to guide Tatiara to the brink of victory.

But with the target just one hit away, their union was broken when Harvey was caught, while Pilgrim remained unbeaten to secure the five-wicket win.

In the Kerr Shield Mount Gambier Green started with a bang, destroying Naracoorte at Lucindale.

Naracoorte batted first and its hopes of posting a competitive total went up in flames almost instantly.

The highest score amongst the top four was five, while the remainder of the order also struggled under the Blue Lake bowlers’ unrelenting pressure.

Only one batter reached double figures with the second highest score extras.

Cooper Clayfield had some fun with the Kookaburra in his hand taking three wickets for the cost a single run from his three probing overs.

Six other bowlers took wickets and the washup of it all meant Mount Gambier only required 80 runs for victory.

Mount Gambier Green cruised past the score with a leg in the air thanks to its middle order all putting their hands up.

Strong contributions from Connor Tweddle, Harrison Hicks and Rhys Grigg meant they past the total with eight wickets in hand.

The coaches allowed the Blue Lake team to bat on which allowed Ryan Lucas, Kobi Maxwell and Thomas Richards to have a hit.

Hicks and Lucas were the stars retiring on 30 as Mount Gambier Green posted 7/211 from 40 overs to make a statement.

In the other game Tatiara battled to 7/92 from 30 painful overs where the Millicent bowlers made the batters earn every run.

Cruz Gibson was the pick of the bowlers with 2/13, while the target was no match for Millicent.

Despite the loss of some early wickets, Ryder Lindner had some fun scoring an unbeaten 61, while he received support from Teej Lawlor and Oakley Nicholls to push the total to 4/146 when stumps were called.

This Sunday the Kerr Shield comes to the Blue Lake City with Mount Gambier Blue and Green scheduled to face off at Marist Park, but it may have to find a new venue.