By Tara Murray
Plenty Valley’s New Year’s resolution to deliver more consistency has come to life in the Bats’ first game of 2019 in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association north-east competition.
The Bats, well placed in the top six, were aiming for greater consistency with the bat, especially at the top of the order.
They delivered just that against Ivanhoe on Saturday in a one-day clash, grabbing their fifth win of the season in the process – much to the delight of Bats captain-coach James Dickinson.
“The first couple of training sessions, we spoke about consistency with the bat against Ivanhoe – and hopefully we can keep that going,” he said.
The Bats had to wait to bowl first on Saturday, with Ivanhoe winning the toss and electing to bat.
Things weren’t looking great early on, as Ivanhoe was in trouble at 5-50. It managed to make 7-187 on the back of a 127-run partnership between Kasun Adikari and Tom Foster.
Dickinson said he was partly happy with the bowling performance.
“It was about par on that wicket,” he said. “It was a good wicket, a small oval and a good outfield.
“We bowled well for the first half of the innings and it was looking like it would be more like 100-odd runs. They found a big partnership.”
Dayne Smith and Callum Nankervis took two wickets each for the Bats.
Photo Gallery: Plenty Valley vs Ivanhoe
With the bat, all but one of the six Plenty Valley batsmen who made it to the wicket got a start.
The Bats finished 4-188, reaching the target in the fourth last over.
Ryan Pearson continued his good form, making 58 at the top of the order, while Dickinson finished 52 not out.
Dickinson said it was always handy to have Pearson get them off to a good start.
“Ryan is going from strength to strength,” he said.
“He’s really important at the top of the order and for him to set the tone.”
The win has the Bats sitting third ahead of a return to the two-day format.
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