In a replay of last season's Pennant grand final, where Bardell won, it was the Saints time to shine, winning 11 sets to four sets at Lawn.

The Saints welcomed the return of veteran Peter Hayes, who missed much of last season with injury.

Bardell's leading player Graeme Wood will miss the season with a shoulder injury and on Saturday it was missing several other regular players.

Saint Nick Robertson said the win, although positive, was not something the side would get carried away with.

"They were pretty undermanned yesterday. But it's always good to get that first win and we caught them at a good time," he said.

"This one doesn't mean much - there are bigger fish to fry."

Saints men dominated the day, winning all their sets.

Bardell's Cherie Bardell started what is sure to be another consistent season, winning three sets.

In other Pennant matches, Kalkee snuck over the line against a new-look Drung South outfit.

The Kees, who won eight sets to claim the day, played with emergencies Matt Beddison and Tom Magee.

Oscar and Paul McDonald, Alex Barnes and Margie Burford played in their first match for the Drungsters.

The Kees finished with two extra games, 113 games to 111 games, and won eight sets to seven sets.

Kees' Jeff Friberg and Carmen Petering and debut Drungster Paul McDonald claimed three sets apiece.

Warracknabeal won its opening clash against Horsham Lawn Savage nine sets to six sets.

Brothers Dan and Brad Krahe led Warrack's charge to success winning their three sets and Lawn Savage youngster Rachel McRae enjoyed a successful day.

Central Park faced a bye ahead of next round's clash against Lawn Savage.

In other grades, Horsham Lawn O'Connor won an A Special Lawn derby against Horsham Lawn Jinks, 11 sets to three sets.

Drung South dominated an A Grade encounter against Kalkee while Horsham Lawn Riverside and Haven Green snuck over the line on games against Haven Yellow and Laharum respectively.

In B Grade's Laharum derby, Navy beat the Reds seven sets to five sets.