VSDCA 2018-19: Plenty Valley’s Ryan Pearson shifts batting focus
RYAN Pearson details how a shift in focus led to his career-best score for Plenty Valley in the opening round of the VSDCA campaign.
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RYAN Pearson knew he had more to offer.
The Plenty Valley opener enjoyed a consistent maiden VSDCA season, averaging more than 40 and ranking as one of the top 15 batsmen in the North-West group.
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But a frustrating run of starts, which included five scores in six innings between 30 and 48, left the former Kingston Hawthorn player wanting more.
“It’s only when you get that little lean patch, you rue the opportunities where you could have made four or five really big scores during the year,” Pearson said.
“I got to the end of the year and I was happy I got the 80-odd in the semi-final.”
The highlights of Pearson’s 2017-18 campaign were an unconquered 135 against Coburg and a knock of 84 in the Bats’ semi-final loss to Kew.
Reflecting on his first season at A.K Lines Reserve, the 30-year-old conceded he would “lose a bit of concentration” when approaching a half-century.
“This year I’ve got a big emphasis on just trying to get through those little tough periods,” he said.
“I think (in Round 1) I was on 49 for about 45 minutes or so. I just couldn’t get passed it.
“Once I got through that tough patch I went on with it, which is what I am hoping for for the rest of the year.”
Pearson feasted on the Coburg attack again in the opening round of the summer, compiling a career-best 172 from 199 balls and batting for more than five hours.
“I think I have learned a bit more about my game and I can work through that,” he said. “Once you do, the game really opens up for you.”
The left-hander said the depth of bowling talent in the VSDCA meant batsmen were punished for any lapses in concentration.
“Every team has a couple of really good frontline bowlers and the spinners and really good too,” he said.
“They vary their pace really well.
“It’s more about where they bowl, not so much the pace. Just that accuracy. They really make you think.”
The Bats have been a perennial contender in recent summers, but have not experienced the ultimate success since defeating Roxburgh Park-Broadmeadows in the 2014-15 decider.
Pearson said Plenty Valley had assembled a team capable of challenging for North-East glory in 2018-19.
“We definitely should be around the mark,” he said.
“We have got a really solid group. We bat really deep.
“I think we are pretty confident that if everyone goes out and plays their natural game we are going to score big runs and take wickets.”
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