Plenty Valley put in an all-round performance to grab a berth in the Victorian Sub-district Cricket Association north-south grand final.
The Bats, who have been the dominant team this season, showed against Elsternwick at the weekend why they have only lost one game.
The Bats scored 8-276 in what coach Matthew Hewat said was the side’s most even batting performance of the season.
Daniel Heatley top-scored with 60, while Matt Hunter, Stephen Tsonas and Harjinder Singh Chahal all made 40s.
“That was the most all-round performance we’ve had,” Hewat said.
Having presented Elsternwick with a tough target, the Bats were after early wickets.
Heatley snared the opposition’s top three batsmen to have Elsternwick at 3-20.
Hewat said the Bats knew that if they kept bowling in the right places and taking catches, they would get the win.
That they did, bowling Elsternwick out for 149.
Heatley was the pick of the bowlers with his three wickets, while Justin Jaensch and Tsonas took two wickets each.
The win sets up a grand final against Caulfield, with the Bats to host a first XI grand final for the first time.
Hewat said the aim this season was home finals. The Bats achieved that, with all three of the first XI’s at A.K. Lines Reserve.
They’ll be hoping to add to their VSDCA premierships, won in 2014-15 against Roxburgh Park Broadmeadows, and the 2007-08 flag against Caulfield, when they were known as Bundoora Old Paradians.
“Caulfield is a fantastic side and have some really good players,” Hewat said.
“Their whole top six can contribute with the bat, so we’ll have to play well to beat them.
“We need to stick to what we do well and do it for long enough.
“If we field, bat and bowl like we did today, we’ll be in with a good chance.”
Meanwhile the Bats’ third women’s side claimed the Cricket Victoria Women’s Community Cricket north west title on Sunday.
The Bats made 9-182 before restricting Geelong to 8-162.
