Dandenong cricketers make history

By Glen Atwell
WIN, lose or draw this weekend – the Dandenong Cricket Club has already created enough history to make this season one worth remembering.
But try telling that to the first XI playing group.
The Panthers beat Carlton by 29 runs on the first innings at Shepley Oval on the weekend to secure a Victorian Premier Cricket grand final berth against St Kilda at Junction Oval this Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
It is the first time the Panthers have qualified for Premier Cricket’s final showdown.
St Kilda progressed to the grand final after thrashing Frankston Peninsula by 237 runs.
Against Carlton, the Panthers, batting first, got off to the worst start possible on Saturday, losing 7/45 before Ricky Damiano (35) and Nathan Allen (42) arrested the downward spiral.
Dandenong salvaged the innings to be all out for 124.
In reply, Carlton lost its first two wickets without scoring.
Nathan Pilon (34) restored some respect before the next batting collapse struck.
Teetering at 5/80, Carlton was reduced to 8/82 before being all out for 95. Peter Siddle starred with the ball for Dandenong, snaring 6/33.
On day two, Dandenong was content to occupy the crease, scoring 164 runs from 80 overs. Tom Donnell dominated the morning session, scoring 37, and at 3/82 the Panthers looked assured of a place in the grand final.
But Carlton captain Tim Welsford had other ideas. Equipping himself with the red leather, Welsford reduced the runs and the wickets started to tumble.
Darren Pattinson added 32 runs before Dandenong was all out for 161. Welsford finished with 6/15 from 15 overs, including 11 maidens.
The equation was simple – Carlton required 192 from 15 overs. It was a big ask, but the Blues began the chase with all guns blazing. Opener Tim Ludeman scored 55 from 31 balls, and at 1/102 in the 10th over, the Blues still had a sniff. But the run frenzy could not be sustained and Carlton finished the match at 5/164.
Dandenong club president Michael Findlay said it was time St Kilda lost a grand final.
“They’ve won four in a row, there’s no need to be greedy,” he laughed. “Our players have worked hard and deserve their chance.”
The Victorian Premier Cricket grand final will be played at the Junction Oval from 10am tomorrow (Friday).