UPDATE: Plenty Valley’s second XI failed to defend 143 in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association, beaten by Kew in the grand final.
With the firsts, thirds and fourths all knocked out in semi finals the previous weekend, the seconds remained Plenty Valley’s only hope of a premiership.
After winning the toss and batting against Kew at Yarrambat Memorial Park on Saturday, Plenty Valley’s innings was anchored by two men – opener Pierce Barnes and run machine Daniel Shaw.
After the first two wickets fell for 44, the pair shared a 53-run stand for the third wicket and threatened to take the game away from Kew.
But Kew’s Mark Akrigg did as he has done all season and snared a wicket against the run of playing, bowling Barnes for 56.
Shaw followed shortly after for 40, and Kew was buoyant, knowing it was the crucial wicket. It took Shaw’s total for the season to 780 at an average of 78.
From there only skipper James Taylor provided any resistance with 16 as Plenty Valley crashed to be all out 143.
Akrigg took 5-16 from 19 flawless overs.
Kew resumed at 0-18 on Sunday and when the wicket of Bernard Anderson fell and triggered a collapse of 6-44, the Bats had a sniff.
But an unbeaten seventh-wicket stand Michael Westland (44) and skipper Nick Padbury (35) handed Kew a four-wicket victory.
