Plenty Valley’s bowlers have engineered an upset win over Box Hill in Victorian Women’s Premier Cricket.
The Bats, who only had one win for the season entering the match, had Box Hill in big trouble at 8-99 before late order runs helped push the score out to 152.
Kirsty Lamb took three wickets and Hayley Neville took two in as many balls.
In reply, the Bats did it with ease, with rain looking to be the biggest issue in their run chase.
They made the runs in the 32nd over with Rhiann O’Donnell top scoring with 54 not out in the total of 5-155.
Speaking before the match, Bats coach Kim Littlejohn said that while the results hadn’t been going their way, there were signs of improvement.
“It’s been a big learning curve, though, and we’re getting better each week,” he said. “We’re a very young side that’s still learning to play cricket.
“Each week we’re able to improve … but we haven’t been able to put it all together.
“The first two games, we were able to bat well but our bowling wasn’t great. Then our bowling was good and our batting wasn’t.”
“Whilst it would be good to get the wins each week, as long as we’re improving I’m happy.”
He said having more experience, in the form of players such as Kate Burns, in the side had helped on and off the pitch.
He said Rhiann O’Donnell was among those who were benefiting from having senior players around her.
“She’s enjoying playing regularly now she’s living in Melbourne,” Littlejohn said.
“Her batting has improved even if the scores don’t reflect that and her bowling has improved, too.
“In general, she’s stepped up and worked hard.”
Meanwhile, young Bat Tayla Vlaeminck has been named in the Melbourne Renegades’ Women’s Big Bash League squad.
Littlejohn said the Bats were hopeful Vlaeminck, who is recovering from a knee reconstructions, would return to the field in the coming weeks.
“Her knee reconstruction has been a success,” he said. “She’s got a rookie contract with the Renegades. Whether or not she plays, I don’t know. She’ll need to play some club cricket.”
The Bats will host a doubleheader on November 27 to celebrate 30 years of Plenty Valley women’s cricket.
The reserves and senior sides’ T20 matches against Essendon Maribyrnong Park will be followed by a celebration dinner.
