Bendigo won 105-72, claiming three of the rinks.

Bendigo’s rinks skippered by Ian Ross, Torie Babitsch and Aaron Wilson all saluted, while Eaglehawk’s only winning skipper was Gary Beckham.

For Eaglehawk, its score of 72 was its lowest since scoring just 70 against Kangaroo Flat in the major semi-final of the 2006-07 season.

Strathfieldsaye spoiled Inglewood’s return to A1 competition with a thumping 63-shot win at home.

Strathfieldsaye won 131-68 and sits on top of the ladder after the opening round.

The most convincing rink was that of Strathfieldsaye’s Geoff Dixon, which belted Andrew Tierney 51-12.

The only points Inglewood gained from the game was the one point earned by Frank Carbone’s rink for its 23-23 tie with Brian Mansbridge.

In the battle of the two sides that finished first and second on the ladder after the home and away rounds last season, Golden Square proved too strong at home for Castlemaine.

Golden Square won 101-85, triumphing in three of the rinks.

However, the contest wasn’t as one-sided as it may seem, with the big difference between the two sides being Golden Square’s Barry Anset’s 33-9 win over last season’s leading BDBA A1 skipper, Rod Phillips.

Bendigo East gave the first indication that it could be a side on the improve this season with its 109-89 victory over Kangaroo Flat.

East skippers Aaron Tomkins, Marc Smith and Cameron Thompson all won their rinks, while the only Flat skipper to triumph was Max Watts.

Ladder after round one: Strathfieldsaye (17 points, +63 shots); Bendigo (16, +33); Bendigo East (16, +20); Golden Square (16, +16); Castlemaine (2, -16); Kangaroo Flat (2, -20); Eaglehawk (2, -33); Inglewood (1, -63).