VSDCA 2018-19: Balwyn claims last-over thriller against North-East flag contender Plenty Valley
Plenty Valley has let slip a top-two spot on the VSDCA North-East ladder after a penultimate ball defeat to Balwyn on Saturday.
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Plenty Valley has let slip a top-two spot on the VSDCA North-East ladder after a penultimate ball defeat to Balwyn on Saturday.
Needing seven runs off the last over, tailender Steven Duckworth (25 not out) provided the impetus for the visiting side to reach the target with two wickets and one ball to spare.
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Bats captain-coach James Dickinson said the team was ultimately “found out” from the week before after tallying a meagre 178.
“Another 30 runs on the board would have made it more in our favour,” he said.
“Our bowling efforts were really good, but a lack of runs the week before really hurt us.”
Despite the low target, Plenty Valley was not without chances of victory during the contest at Yarrambat War Memorial Park as Callum Nankervis (3-17), Dayne Smith (2-43) and Daniel Heatley (2-58) reduced the opposition to 5-71 and 8-153.
But a 72-run partnership between Jake Beaumont (56) and Harris Carlin (39) proved vital.
“It was a pretty topsy-turvy game,” Dickinson said.
“Sometimes we thought we were in control, then others they had it more than us.
“It could’ve been anyone’s game, even in that last over.
“From a positive point of view, it took them 80 overs to make 180, which means we bowled really economically but couldn’t get the breakthroughs we needed.
“Dan Heatley bowled his guts out and Cal Nankervis and Dayne Smith also bowled well, but we didn’t have the luck.”
With a crunch game against ladder-leader Bayswater to come this round, followed by a one-day clash against sixth-placed Box Hill, a finals berth is not yet a certainty for the Bats.
“They are tough opposition, but if we keep winning we will be in finals,” Dickinson said.
“We have just got to put on more runs, it’s as simple as that.”
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