By Tara Murray
Plenty Valley sealed its finals spot in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association north-east competition.
In what is turning out to be a closely-contested season, the Bats made sure they will be in the finals’ action with a solid win against Bayswater.
Bats captain-coach James Dickinson said he was happy restricting Bayswater to 232.
The Bats had made 8-255 on day one.
“It was a really good win,” Dickinson said.
“We had 250 on the board, which was about par. It was a really good batting wicket so we knew it would be a challenge.
“We were able to bowl tight and we were able to keep it in the right areas for long periods of time and get the wickets.”
Dayne Smith was the pick of the bowlers, taking 4-40, but all six bowlers who got the opportunity to bowl took a wicket.
Dickinson said young star Ikroop Dhanoa continues to make the most of his opportunities.
Dhanoa was dropped to the second XI in the last round, before coming back into the side for this game.
“He came on pretty early and bowled tight and got a key wicket,” Dickinson said.
“He was in the fourths last year and he’s been in the pathway sides and the under-15 state side a couple of weeks ago.
“He’s still got a lot of learning to go, but he has been good.”
The Bats sit third on the ladder heading into the final round. Just six points separates the top five teams, leaving home finals up for grabs.
The last final spot will come down to Box Hill and St Bernard’s OC.
The Bats play Box Hill in a one-dayer to finish the regular season.
Dickinson said they were happy to have sealed their finals spot already.
“It’s good to be in the mix. We’re back in the one-dayers this week and we want to keep that winning feeling up.
“We’ll be doing everything that we can to take some winning form into finals.”
The Bats still aren’t at full strength with veteran all-rounder Sean Ayres out the past three games with a knee injury.
Dickinson said they were unsure whether Ayres would return this season.
“It’s a wait and see thing at the moment. Hopefully he’ll come back into the mix.
“We’re lucky to have Ikroop and Pearso [Ryan Pearson] who can bowl some spin.
“Pearso has been champing at the bit to bowl since last season.”
In women’s Premier Cricket, Plenty Valley will enter the Victorian Women’s Premier Cricket finals on the back of a loss to Dandenong. The Bats, who finished fourth, will play Prahran in semi-final this weekend.
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