Plenty Valley’s start to 2016 didn’t go to plan, with the Bats suffering a shock loss to Bayswater on Saturday.
Sitting on top of the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association’s north-east ladder, the Bats were expected to beat Bayswater, a side which is outside the top six.
Instead a below par batting performance left the Bats with a lot of work to do with the ball, which they weren’t able to do.
Opener Will Wright and Sanjaya Chathuranga were the only batsmen for the Bats to get going, making 41 and 45 respectively in the Bats total of 148.
Sunan Rubaiyat batting at number nine was the only other batsman to make double figures, as extras were the third highest score for the team.
Bayswater had little trouble chasing down the runs, making 2-149 in just over 25 overs.
Chathuranga was the only bowler to take a wicket, with Michael Sheedy claiming a run out.
Blair Allan capped off a best on field performance for Bayswater making 82 not out, after taking four wickets.
The loss sees the Bats slip to second on the ladder ahead of a clash with Box Hill.
Roxburgh Park Broadmeadows’ tough season continued on Saturday as they lost to Balwyn.
The Falcons struggled with the bat, as no batsmen could go on after making a start.
Six batsmen scored between 10 and 30, but no one stuck around long enough to anchor the innings, as they were bowled out for 142.
Tim Branagan top scored with 29, while Kamal Maan batting at number 10 finished 24 not out.
The Falcons got off to a perfect start with the ball, taking two early wickets to have Balwyn in trouble at 2-3.
When Mitch Streiff took his second wicket, the Falcons were in with a chance as they got into Balwyn’s middle order.
Balwyn though was able to settle and while they still lost frequent wickets made the runs with ease, finishing their innings at 7-143.
Streiff was the best of the bowlers taking two wickets, while Maan bowled tightly taking 0-16 off his nine overs including five maidens.
The loss sees the Falcons remain with two wins for the season and sitting 12th on the ladder.
The Falcons this week face Bayswater in a two-day clash.
