Plenty Valley continued its hot start to the season with a fourth straight victory in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association north-south division.
In what is becoming a habit in their one-day matches this season, the Bats bowled tightly before chasing down the total without any trouble.
On Saturday, it was winless Ivanhoe’s turn to face the Bats.
In a positive start, Ivanhoe, made 43 without loss before it all went wrong when it lost 4-16. The innings never recovered.
Ivanhoe was bowled out for 124 on the second last ball of the innings.
The Bats made good use of their bowling options, with seven players rolling their arms over and six taking wickets.
Justin Jaesnch, Matthew Hewat and Sean Ayres took two wickets each.
The Bats didn’t waste any time reaching the target, with openers Sean Ayres and Harjinder Singh Chahal getting the job done with almost 20 overs to spare.
Ayres hit 78, which included 14 fours. Chahal finished with 43.
For Ayres, it was a return to form with the bat after struggling in recent years.
The Bats – with three one-day wins and a T20 victory – are on top of the table.
This week they face Elsternwick, the only other undefeated side, in a two-day clash.
For more pictures from Saturday’s game, CLICK HERE
In other cricket, Bundoora has set Research Eltham Collegians 261 in the Diamond Valley Cricket Association’s Barclay Shield’s twilight round.
Wicketkeeper Nasir Cheema top scored for the Bulls. Research Eltham Collegians survived one over before stumps unscathed and will resume at 0-0.
Old Paradians/St Francis is chasing Riverside’s 9-197. Damian Wegener was the best of the bowlers for the Wolves, taking 3-28.
Epping has a big challenge ahead of it in its game against Macleod. Epping’s batsmen will need to find some form to chase down Macleod’s 7-251.
Marcus Murphy took 3-70 for Epping.
In the Money Shield, Whittlesea made a massive 300 against Eltham. Batting at nine, Neil Chrimes top scored with 63. Eltham will resume at 0-20.
Montmorency is 1-8 in reply to Plenty Power’s 156.
A century to Jordan Steele guided Lalor Stars to 8-317 against Mernda, while Bundoora United will chase 239 against Lower Plenty.
