By Tara Murray
It’s celebration time at Plenty Valley Cricket Club after it claimed two Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association premierships.
With two sides in grand finals, the Bats’ hopes of double silverware were granted, with their first and fourth XIs securing flags.
Bats first XI captain-coach James Dickinson said he was on cloud nine after winning the north-east first XI premiership.
“It is amazing,” Dickinson said. “It’s a process that started in July and the guys have put in the hard work.”
Having travelled across town to Noble Park, the Bats won the toss and elected to bat.
They looked in control at 2-141 with plenty of batting left in the shed.
Noble park fought back through Marasinghe Perera, who would end up being named man of the match after taking eight wickets.
Constant wickets towards the back end of the innings saw the Bats all out for 212.
Dickinson said they were unsure whether they had enough runs on the board.
“It was competitive,” he said. “It was probably par on that ground.
“It ebbed and flowed a little bit. We ended
up the with the runs on the board and they would have to chase them down in a pressure situation.”
Dickinson was the standout with the bat, making 79 at the top of the order.
The bowlers did the job on Sunday and looked in control all day, bowling Noble Park out for 158.
Dickinson said the whole bowling attack had stood up.
“We were able to take wickets at important times,” he said. “The slower bowlers built up the pressure. Ryan Pearson has shown he can be a match-winner with the ball.
“Blacky [Simon Black] tore through them in his second spell.
“A couple of boys were primed to show they can win a premiership.”
Daniel Heatley and Pearson finished with three wickets each, while Callum Nankervis and Black took two wickets each.
The premiership is the Bats’ first top side flag since 2014-15 and third VSDCA first XI premiership overall.
Dickinson said the Bats’ first XI was made up of a special group of players.
“To finish second and have a crack at the flag is really good,” he said.
“It’s a different team from last year and we’ve been able to form so quickly.
“We’ve got two 15-year-olds in the team and some who hadn’t played first XI cricket
before.
“It’s a testament to the people at the club and those involved in the side.”
It’s been a big season for the youngest two members of the team. Dickinson said that this season Jai Lemire had won three premierships and Ikroop Dhanoa, two.
The Bats’ fourth XI won the north-west premiership.
The Bats made 163 before restricting Hoppers Crossing to 58.
David Wallace was the star of the show, taking 7-20 for the Bats.
“The more premierships the better,” Dickinson said. “It’ll be a good time back at Yarrambat.”
Dickinson said he was yet to make a decision on his coaching future.
“I’ll soak it up and see what happens,” he said. “We’ll have a few beers and see what everyone says.”
