Panthers’ run for flag

IT WAS a long night of celebrations back at Shepley Oval for the Dandenong Panthers as they drank from the premiership cup until the wee hours of Monday morning. And rightly so – this was a flag they weren’t expected to win.
Over three mind-numbing days at the glorious University Oval, Dandenong and Frankston were at each other’s throats for 300 overs.
But bragging rights to become this year’s premiers came down to the last 38 balls.
Darren Pattinson (21 not out) and Justin Butterfield (0 not out) fought off bouncers, yorkers, nicks and edges throughout the final hour of play to defy the Heat the mantle of premiers.
After the final ball – a yorker dug out by Butterfield – was bowled, the entire Panthers cricket club threw their hands up in the air and mobbed the two batsmen in the middle of the ground.
For Panthers skipper Darren Dempsey, who has played 248 district games, it was his first flag win in Melbourne.
“It was definitely nerve-racking. I think it’s just a testament to the team cricket we’ve been playing over the last six weeks,” he said.
“It’s really quite amazing what we’ve been able to do with the group of guys that we’ve got.”
The match will go down in Premier Cricket history as one of the greatest finals played.
Last Friday, Dandenong claimed the honours in the first session taking three wickets, but Frankston fought back hard in the next two sessions.
It ebbed and flowed for the next two days and the result came down to the final six overs.
“It was just such an amazing game of cricket. It was an emotional rollercoaster the whole day on Sunday,” Dempsey said.
“I was convinced at one point we were going to lose it, but when you look at the scores it was the best grand final in the history of the game.”
Victorian speedster James Pattinson was awarded the John Scholes Medal for player of the final for his first innings 59 not out and 3/49.
Opening bat Tom Donnell also played the final of his life with his 83 and 50 for the match.
Australian Test bowler Peter Siddle made his presence felt by taking 5/52 in the first innings.
While the Panthers were bolstered by the two Pattinson brothers – James and Darren – and Siddle, Dempsey paid tribute to the entire squad.
Justin Butterfield had a dream season after being elevated to the first XI in round seven.
The 23-year-old claimed 38 wickets for the year and now boasts a premiership medal.
Donnell (591 runs) had a solid year at the top and saved his highest score of the season for the final.
All-rounder James Nanopoulos took 23 wickets and made 291 runs with the bat and in the past six weeks had the knack of making a vital breakthrough with the ball.
Brett Fairbanks was also handy during the year with bat (245 runs) and ball (22 wickets).
The Panthers used 22 players during the season but Dempsey said it was the core unit of players that bore the brunt of the workload that made it possible to play finals.
“Of course, having national and state players boost your side and we’re lucky to have that calibre, but take nothing away from the rest of the guys who did the job and got us through the year,” he said.
“Everyone stood up at different moments of the season.”
Panthers president Michael Findlay said it was a remarkable win for the club – its second in four years.
“It was great cricket by both teams, they both played inspiring cricket,” he said.
“It was a tremendous game, a tremendous win for our club.”