By Tara Murray
Plenty Valley is hoping to make the most of its second chance in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association north-east finals series.
The Bats finished the regular season in second spot and had a poor start to the finals series when they were comprehensively beaten by Mt Waverley at the weekend.
But being the highest ranked loser, the Bats survive another week.
Bats captain-coach James Dickinson said they let themselves down with the bat and it could have been a lot worse, if not for the lower order.
The Bats were sent in and scrambled to make 173 from their 80 overs.
“We couldn’t get any partnerships going to put ourselves in a good position,” Dickinson said. “Jai [Lemire], Dane [Smith] and Ikroop [Dhanoa] did well at the end to make some runs, but it wasn’t enough.
“We’ve had to rely on them a few times this season. We would have liked for the top order to get a few more runs on the board.”
Dickinson, who top scored with 61, said a combination of Mt Waverley’s bowling and some poor decisions had cost them.
Lemire was the only other player to pass 20, run out for 39.
“We were in some good partnerships at times then we lost a few wickets before the break that really hurt us.”
With an under par score, the Bats needed to bowl well and have some luck go their way.
Mt Waverley stood strong and passed the runs in the 61st over, finishing 4-175.
Dickinson said there was a couple of half chances, but overall Mt Waverley was too good.
“They batted quite well and their captain [Andrew Power] and Michael Sheedy had a game-winning partnership.”
Ryan Pearson was the pick of the bowlers, taking 2-25 off 9.1 overs.
Photo Gallery: Plenty Valley vs Mt Waverley
The Bats will now face minor premier Brunswick in a preliminary final for a spot in the grand final.
Dickinson said they wanted to make the most of their second opportunity.
“We play Brunswick at Brunswick,” he said.
“See how we go. We beat them at home earlier in the season and we will take a little bit of confidence out of it.”
The first XI side is one of the Bats three men’s sides through to the preliminary final.
The seconds and fourths teams also won through with wins against Bayswater and Preston respectively.
Dickinson said while there were
players in the seconds pushing for senior
spots, they would likely stick with the same group.
The Bats’ Cricket Victoria Women’s Community Cricket north-west B side had a convincing win against Melton Centrals and will face Coburg in the grand final.
MORE VSDCA NEWS
www.starweekly.com.au/sports/meltons-bowlers-lead-way/
