VSDCA 2018-19: Plenty Valley champion Sean Ayres retires
Plenty Valley great Sean Ayres is set to receive a rousing send-off at the club’s presentation night later this month after calling time on his decorated VSDCA career.
North
Don't miss out on the headlines from North . Followed categories will be added to My News.
Plenty Valley champion Sean Ayres is set to receive a rousing send-off at the club’s presentation night later this month after calling time on his decorated VSDCA career.
The 46-year-old reached the 300-game milestone earlier in the season but did not feature for the premiership-winning Bats after January 12 because of a knee injury.
The all-rounder has amassed more than 7000 runs and close to 600 wickets in a stellar career.
Plenty Valley president Darren Callahan said Ayres had been “a wonderful servant” of the club.
The Bats toppled Noble Park in the final to claim the North-East group flag.
Callahan said the titles for the First XI and Fourth XI made it an extremely successful season after all seven senior teams — four men and three women — played finals.
“It’s the first time we’ve done that,” he said.
“We’re really proud of that.
“We hope to keep most of our list together, men and women, and sustain that success.”
Callahan said several emerging players in a “good age group” would be vital to Plenty Valley continuing its success next season.
“We had a couple of 15-year-olds in the flag (Jai Lemire and Ikroop Dhanoa) and we may lose a couple to Premier Cricket, but we are very hopeful they will all stay together,” he said.
The Bats’ line-up was littered with contributors, led by Ryan Pearson.
The gun all-rounder finished the campaign with 682 runs at an average of 42.63, which included two centuries and three half-centuries.
He also took 30 wickets at 11.23, including 11 in the finals.
Captain-coach James Dickinson led from the front during his first year in charge, stepping up his performances as the season progressed.
Not making a score above 40 before Christmas, he went on to produce four half-centuries, including 61 in the semi-final and an arguably match-winning 79 in the final.
Recruits Rory Collins and Callum Nankervis also played big roles, tallying close to 1000 runs between them.
Collins contributed to 23 dismissals behind the stumps and bashed five half-centuries, alternating between opening and the middle-order, while Nankervis’ season included a ton against Brunswick and 22 wickets at an average of 21.
“They were great recruits,” Callahan said.
“We were very lucky James Dickinson is so well connected.
“Rory is just a quality cricketer and a wonderful bloke, he fitted in beautifully, while Callum is a talented young man.”
Paceman Simon Black finished with 23 wickets in a solid summer, Dayne Smith took 13 wickets after returning for the second half of the season and Daniel Heatley also showed his credentials to accumulate 385 runs and 18 wickets.