Kew awaits Plenty Valley in the opening round of the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association’s north-south finals.
Having already sealed a top two spot, the Bats claimed the minor premiership with a dominant bowling performance in their one-day encounter against Ormond on Saturday.
Just four runs were on the board when Simon Black claimed the first wicket of the day.
Wickets continued to fall and Ormond was in trouble at 6-32.
A 17-run partnership steadied the ship for a short time, but it didn’t last long.
Ormond battled for 33.3 overs, but was out for a mere 63.
The Bats shared the wickets around with Black, Sean Ayres, Matthew Hewat, Justin Jaensch and Stephen Tsonas taking two wickets apiece.
At the crease, the Bats were in trouble early.
Both openers were dismissed without scoring and when Tsonas was also gone for a duck, they were 3-6.
Luke Robinson added a quick 14 runs before falling but then Daniel Heatley was out and the Bats were 5-28.
Matt Hunter and Sean Ayres got the innings going. When Ayres fell the scores were level.
The Bats made the runs with six wickets down, finishing on 6-64.
Hunter top-scored with an unbeaten 28.
The Bats have been the best side all season and will head into the finals as favourites. They lost just one game – way back in round five.
On Saturday night, Hewat, in his first year at the club, was awarded the club’s first XI award at the inaugural “Batlow” celebration.
In the other finals matches, in north-south, Caulfield will face Elsternwick and Coburg will play Oakleigh.
The Bats’ women suffered a tough finish to their Premier Cricket season. Prahran had a day out, making 7-341 with Emma Inglis making 95. In reply, the Bats, could only make 134.
The Bats finished the season in fifth.
