Plenty Valley veteran Sean Ayres continues to dazzle with the ball in the Victorian Sub-district Cricket Association’s north-south competition.
After making the most of conditions in round one, Ayres was again the main destroyer in the Bats’ round two match against Moorabbin.
In what became a one-day match after a first-day washout last week, the Bats sent Moorabbin in to bat at the A.K Line Reserve.
The decision paid dividends as Justin Jaensch claimed the early wicket of Vidusha Jayasinghe.
Then enters Ayres, who took three of the next four wickets, the other a run-out, as Moorabbin slumped to 5-48. The sixth wicket fell not long afterwards.
Skipper Asfan Thajudeen steadied the innings scoring with 44 to push the team’s total to 121.
Ayres was the best of the bowlers taking 3-4 off nine overs, including six maidens. Matthew Hewat and Luke Robinson took two wickets each.
In reply, the Bats made light work of the total, passing it in the 23rd over.
Ayres (37) and Harjinder Singh Chahal (31) put on 52 for the first wicket. Simon Bray was then out cheaply, before Robinson and Daniel Heatley took them over the line at the loss of three wickets. It was Heatley’s first game with the club since the 2013-14 season.
The Bats sit on top of the ladder after a similar comprehensive result against Brighton in round one.
Four teams have won their opening two matches, Elsternwick, Coburg and Oakleigh being the others.
The Bats face St Bernard’s OC on Saturday.
The Bats’ women’s side had a tough day against Melbourne Cricket Club in Victorian Premier Cricket.
Batting first the Bats made 171 before being bowled out in the 40th over.
Sophie Reid top scored for the Bats with 68, while Mariko Hill made 52.
In reply, MCC made the runs with seven wickets in hand and 19 overs to bat.
