VSDCA: Plenty Valley shocks minor premier Williamstown to book Sub-District semi-final against Kew

A FEW games shy of his 300th Sub-District Cricket match, Sean Ayres underlined his matchwinning ability with a herculean performance in Plenty Valley’s upset win over Williamstown.

Sean Ayres was the matchwinner with the ball for Plenty Valley. Picture: Mark Dadswell.

A FEW games shy of his 300th Sub-District Cricket match, Sean Ayres underlined his matchwinning ability with a herculean performance in Plenty Valley’s upset win over Williamstown.

The Bats became just the second side in the past seven seasons to reach the semi-finals after finishing sixth thanks to a six-run victory.

Ayres was introduced into the bowling attack in the 13th over on Sunday after the Seagulls made a flying start to their pursuit of Plenty Valley’s 7-233.

The left-arm tweaker bowled 34 overs unchanged, delivering 17 maidens and claiming 4-54 in a famous victory.

Simon Bray cuts during his half-century on Saturday. Picture: Hamish Blair.

“Early on our quicks were leaking a few runs, so our go-to is Ayresy to try and take the pace off the ball and make the batsmen work really hard,” coach Matt Hewat said.

“It was more of a necessity to get him on that early.

“As the day went on, the way to go with the wicket the way it was, was to have the pace off the ball and restrict scoring.”

Hewat praised the poise shown by 18-year-old leg-spinner Tane Cotter, who took 3-40 from 18.3 overs in his second First XI match.

“For a young kid in his second game, it was probably the performance of the day,” he said.

“Not to understate what Ayresy did, but for Tane to come up as an 18-year-old and do what he did was incredible.”

Plenty Valley opener Justin Di Battista guides a ball through the leg side. Picture: Hamish Blair

Plenty Valley will meet Kew in a semi-final this weekend, while Williamstown travels to Melton.

The Bats face several selection headaches, with paceman Simon Black and opening batsman Ryan Pearson to return after being unavailable due to Black’s wedding and Hewat having overcome a quad injury.

“We have got a few selection dramas,” Hewat said.

“We will have to sit down and work out what we think is the best mix for the finals.

“With Tane bowling particularly well, he’s put his name forward.”

Ashur Morrison was the hero with the bat for Plenty Valley, hauling his side to a defendable total with a brutal knock of 59 from 44 balls late on day one.

“It was his best innings for us,” Hewat said.

“He can hit a really long ball. It was fantastic to see him in form and he could be an important player for us in the semi-final.”

Captain James Dickinson topscored with 67 on Saturday while recalled opener Simon Bray made 52.