Plenty Valley started the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association the same way it ended last season – on top.
The Bats had a convincing first-up win in the north-east division against Noble Park on Saturday.
Resuming on day two of the match at 1-9 and needing 175 for victory, the Bats controlled the tempo and the scoreboard, chasing down the total with 27 overs to spare and finishing at 5-180.
Bats coach Michael Sheedy said: “We were playing against a team that I think will be a very competitive finals side.
“The fashion [in which] we got the win made a strong point.”
New captain Brad Mitchell was the standout, finishing 62 not out.
“He came in at 4-84 when we were in a precarious position,” Sheedy said. “The boys were going but just not making the most of it on the scoreboard. Brad really knuckled down and it’s pleasing to see him play a skipper’s innings. He’s a natural leader and has really blossomed.”
Englishman Will Wright also showed glimpses of his talent in his first game for the Bats.
“Extremely excited with wh
at we saw, as we hadn’t seen much of him before this,” Sheedy said.
“We had a void in an opener’s role with Kamalesh Murugsan not coming back.
“Will will only get better the longer he’s in Australia.”
Sheedy said that despite the convincing first-up win, there was still improvement to be had, especially with the bowling. Sean Ayres was the best of the bowlers on day one, taking three wickets.
“We weren’t at our best but still managed to get it done,” Sheedy said. “We need to get better consistency with the ball and we spoke about getting it better against Preston.
Preston began its season with a shock win over Roxburgh Park Broadmeadows in their one-day clash.
Sent in, Preston set the Falcons a difficult target after making 7-190 off its 45 overs.
Anthony Noto, in his first senior game for the Falcons, was the best of the bowlers, taking three wickets.
It was a case of batsmen getting starts but not going on with it for the Falcons. The top eight all made double figures but no one passed 35, Daniel Patrick top-scoring with 32.
The Falcons were dismissed with 14 balls remaining.
This week, they play Brunswick.
