A strong start and a big finish with the ball gave Plenty Valley the advantage on the opening day of the Sub-District match at Kew on Saturday.
The Bats, unbeaten and on top of the North/South First XI ladder, struck hard and early in the heat, reducing Kew to 4/28 after losing the toss before bowling out the home side for 171.
Ben Dennett was on fire in the opening overs, bowling Kew wicketkeeper and opener Simon Sorockyj for a duck and then having the dangerous Matt Bernet caught behind for just two.
PICTURE GALLERY: Plenty Valley v Kew
But Kew captain Michael Westland (63) and Nathan Bernet (41) restored the innings with a 77-run partnership for the fifth wicket.
Then Dennett again made the breakthrough for the Bats, having Bernet caught to expose the tail.
Some handy lower-order runs from Tim Stewart (25) helped push the score along and gave Kew a total to defend, but Sean Ayres ensured his side would stay under 200 by taking the wicket of Westland and then two more.
He finished with 3-55 from 24.4 tireless overs, and was well supported by Dennett (3-23), Adrian Wilson (2-42) and Justin Jaensch (1-31).
The Bats faced two overs to close out play, and will resume at 0/0 this Saturday, with Ayres and Dylan Forster the not out batsmen.
President Darren Callahan said the club was very pleased to restrict Kew to 171 on a flat wicket at Victoria Park.
“We were quite happy to keep them to that on a flat wicket on a hot day with a quick outfield,” he said. “Our opening bowlers have been bowling well so to split the game open at the start after they won the toss and batted was very good. They did have a really good partnership but we were able to get a wicket on the stroke of tea and then we were able to get through the tail after the break.
“If all goes to plan on Saturday we certainly have the side to chase it down. We just need to keep doing the right things.”
