The SE Female Open Age Cricket League began with a blast on Sunday and the show now rolls into Mount Gambier this weekend.

After a successful opening round in Naracoorte, the Blue Lake City welcomes the region’s first women’s cricket competition with matches at Blue Lake Sports Park and Marist Park.

Fresh off maiden victories South Gambier and Mil Lel hope to continue their momentum when they host matches for the first time against North Sportsman’s and Naracoorte respectively.

With many playing a competitive game of cricket for the first time, the inexperienced Demons took on Naracoorte in its own back yard and prevailed in a tight low-scoring affair.

South Gambier batted first and posted a decent total of 94.

Despite bowling to more experienced opponents, the Demons rose to the occasion with the ball.

They picked up regular wickets, but the home side also chipped away at the target and all results were possible.

However, South withstood the pressure and defended its total to win by a narrow eight-run margin.

Mil Lel also impressed in its opening encounter against Bordertown.

Asked to bat first, the young Mount Gambier side showed some grit and survived the full 20 overs to register a score of 73 runs with two wickets in hand.

In response Bordertown’s batters struggled to find answers for Mil Lel’s bowling attack and were knocked over for 54, 19 runs short of victory.

The opening round was a shot in the arm for women’s sport and South Australian Cricket Association South East club and participation officer James Dunn said it was a privilege to see it become a reality after months of speculation.

“It was a very exciting day,” he said. “You have these ideas in your head as to how it is going to run, but at the end of the day you have to rely on everyone being there and doing their part to get the games started.

“You can get a few nerves and wonder how is this going to go because it has not been done before, but we were very lucky to have the support from the clubs, who were very involved and present on the day.

“There were a few supporters and family members out there in the crowd which was really good.”

With many players not having picked up a bat or ball in a competitive environment before, Dunn was impressed with the skills on show.

He said many individuals loved their first taste of playing cricket.

“All of the reports that came back to me said all of the players loved it,” Dunn said. “I said to the girls before the games they are pioneers and I think that resonated with a few people that it is the first of its kind.

“They had so much pride getting out there in a competition that has not existed before and there was a lot of excitement before the game.

“There are quite a few talented girls in the region and both games were pretty close and competitive.”

After the players’ first foray in the game, this weekend they will not only get their first chance to play on two of the leading grounds in Mount Gambier, but will also get a taste of the challenges of playing on turf wickets.

Dunn said he cannot wait to witness the competition’s debut in Mount Gambier and hopes the community can show support.

“I think it is such a good promotion for cricket in the South East and to get the girls playing on turf is really exciting for everyone,” he said.

“I just hope the clubs get behind this because we really need to support these cricketers.”