Kew sends warning to VSDCA rivals with powerful Round 1 display

Will Sheridan showed his batting power but Andrew Chalkley stole the show on Saturday as Kew sent a warning to its Subbies rivals with a big win over Plenty Valley.

Andrew Chalkley in action for Kew.

While all eyes were on Kew’s three big-name recruits it was Andrew Chalkley who stole the show on Saturday.

The star batsman blasted the Plenty Valley attack to all parts at Victoria Park as he brought up a sizzling century in just 67 balls.

Chalkley’s 106-run second-wicket partnership with opener Will Sheridan (77 off 73) was instrumental in Kew posting 6-272 from its 40 overs.

Kew’s reigning club champion then chipped in with two important wickets to help seal the 73-run victory.

The result will send a message to the rest of the VSDCA North-West conference.

Andrew Chalkley in action for Kew.

Will Sheridan reacts after being caught.

Kew captain-coach Chris Weeks said the team was still finding its feet after adding six players in the past two off-seasons, including Sheridan, John Hastings and Matt Brown this winter.

“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, it’s still Round 1, but it’s good to get the first one out of the way,” he said.

“We’ve got a new group together with the changeover of players in the last couple of years.

“The more time we can spent time together, the more games we can play together, the better we’ll be.

“I think the deeper the season goes the more it will click for us.”

Sheridan was the only one of Kew’s high-profile additions to make an impact on debut.

Brown opened the batting, scoring 10 runs off 22 balls, while Hastings bowled one over of off-spin as he works back to full fitness.

Weeks revealed Sheridan’s big day was almost over before it began after a mishap in the warm-up.

“Chalks was actually meant to open the batting but Sherro hurt his back in the warm-up,” he said.

“We thought it would be best for him to open the batting to keep him warm because we didn’t know if his back was going to seize up and obviously he did very well.

“It’s funny how things worked out.”

In reply, Plenty Valley reached 8-199 with Simon Black (35no) and Daniel Bramich (34) putting up late resistance.

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Missing captain-coach Michael Rogneda due to a knee injury and Bramich unable to bowl due to a shoulder injury, it was a brave performance.

The Bats’ off-season recruit Nish Perera impressed with the ball, picking up the key wickets of Sheridan and Weeks to finish with 2-40, while 15-year-old Jack Atkinson picked up a wicket on debut.

Andrew Chalkley (2-28), Tom Chalkley (2-44) and Will Sist (2-66) shared the wickets for Kew.

Weeks said Hastings will play a bigger role with the ball as the season progresses while Sheridan – who didn’t bowl on Saturday due to a side strain and back complaint – is expected to resume next week.

Plenty Valley debutant Jack Atkinson.

IVANHOE v TAYLORS LAKES

Ivanhoe has kicked off the Subbies season in style, trouncing Taylors Lakes on Saturday.

The Saints’ three off-season additions – Raza Rizwan, Scott McNaughton and Brad Loveluck – all impressed at Ivanhoe Park.

Loveluck top-scored with an unbeaten 84 and shared 100-run stands with Alex Pannell (74) and captain-coach Sunny Fernando (67) to help set up an imposing first inning total of 4-255.

It would prove too much for Taylors Lakes to chase down, the visitors all out for 177.

Jarrod Wakeling top-scored for the Lakers with 44.

Former Ivanhoe captain Rizwan opened the bowling and finished with figures of 3-31, while McNaughton claimed 3-25.