It was a relaxing day for most of the Plenty Valley side, with just two batsmen needed to get the job done in Victorian Sub-district Cricket Association’s north-west competition on Saturday.
Resuming at 1-39 with Ryan Pearson and skipper James Dickinson at the crease, the Bats needed 134 runs for victory against Coburg.
Pearson, with Dickinson as a fine support act, got the job done, with Plenty Valley making 1-178 with almost 14 overs remaining.
“It was a pleasing day for us,” coach Matt Hewat said.
“To get the runs one down was what we were after. It was a strange day as we didn’t lose a wicket throughout the day.
“It’s nice to see some consistency at the top of the order. It is early days though.”
Pearson made a massive 135 of the Bats total 178, including 13 fours and a six. Dickinson finished 26 not out.
Hewat said it was a fantastic knock for one of the club’s new players.
“He wanted to bat out the day and to see the partnership with Dicko was fantastic,” he said.
“The rest of us are pretty fresh and were able to enjoy watching them batting.”
The performances of both Dickinson and Pearson and that of Joe Peatman (five wickets on day one) are pleasing for the new-look Bats.
All three joined the club this season and have settled in well.
Hewat said there was a good feel around the club with everyone enjoying their cricket and things were going along nicely.
The Bats, who are two from two, turn their attention to the T20 format on Saturday when they face Kew.
Last season, the Bats won their T20 match on the back of a hat trick from Luke Robinson and four wickets from Hewat.
Hewat said they were looking forward to the challenge on Saturday.
“I enjoy the concept of the T20 match as it’s the future of cricket and we will embrace it,” he said. “It’s a different challenge and we’ll prepare for it this week.
“Daniel Heatley missed this game and he will be back. It means we’ll have a few selection headaches. We might change and rejig a few things, but we’ll have a similar line-up.”
Pearson wasn’t the only standout performer for the Bats at the weekend, with James Baker having a day out in the third XI.
Baker took 6-13 to help bowl Coburg out for 107. On the hunt for an outright victory, the Bats sent them back in, and Baker took another three wickets.
The Bats got the outright win, with Baker finishing with the figures 9-43.
