Plenty Valley expecting hot start to new VSDCA season against Coburg
Plenty Valley are expecting a red-hot start to the new VSDCA season with Coburg waiting for the reigning premier in Round 1 and plenty of warm weather.
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Reigning VSDCA premier Plenty Valley is wary of a Round 1 ambush.
The Bats face a new-look Coburg in the opening game of the season, which is scheduled to start on Saturday at Coburg City Oval.
Plenty Valley has been placed in the strong North-South group, with First XI skipper Ryan Pearson on high alert.
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“(Coburg) has recruited really well, so we’re expecting a really strong showing from them,” Pearson said.
“Obviously they’ve got Jack Sheppard who’s a really good bowler and they’ve picked up (Aaron) Shellie, who’s a class batsman.
“I think it’s going to be a pretty even group this season.
“There were a few games last year where we didn’t turn up and had a few lapses, and we can’t afford to do that this year.
“Looking at the teams around the comp and who everyone’s picked up, there’s match-winners in every team now.
“If you have an off day or even 10-20 overs you can really get hurt and cost you the game.”
The Bats cruised to a thumping 274-run victory over the Burgers in their only meeting last season.
Michael Rogneda (Northcote), Ryan Nankervis (Essendon) and Lee Brown (HSD) have arrived during the off-season to offset the losses of premiership captain-coach James Dickinson (Strathmore) and star all-rounder Sean Ayres (Preston Baseballers).
Pearson and Rory Collins will be relied upon to do the heavy lifting with the bat, while Pearson, Simon Black and Callum Nankervis all claimed more than 20 wickets in 2018-19.
Pearson said he was happy with the pre-season preparations with strong showings against Mount Waverley and Mernda in the past fortnight.
“We’ve got a pretty strong squad again, we’ve picked up some talented cricketers,” he said.
“We’ve got a lot of depth through the group and bowling will be our strength, as it was last year.
“Michael Rogneda has trained the house down this pre-season … and Lee Brown’s bowled really well and hopefully he has a big year.”