Panthers just miss

By Glen Atwell
THE Dandenong Panthers are out of the Victorian Premier League competition after losing to Fitzroy-Doncaster by one run in the semi-finals.
The late withdrawal of all-rounder Darren Pattinson, due to an infected toe, and Warren Ayres’ niggling calf injury were two crucial factors that swung the game Fitzroy-Doncaster’s way.
After winning the toss, the Panthers’ decision to bat first definitely paid dividends when opener Matthew Chasemore blasted his way to an unbeaten century, scoring 116 in an innings that lasted 333 minutes and 255 balls.
Captain Tim Hooper (39), spinner Nathan Allen (35) and Adrian Burgiel (26) made important contributions as the Panthers batted through the day and declared at 7/275.
Fitzroy-Doncaster had five overs to face and the Dandenong pace attack of Peter Siddle and Paul Boraston tried everything to capture a day-one wicket, but Lloyd Mash and Peter Dickson were up to the challenge and ended the day at 0/21.
Mash swung the game his side’s way in the early stages of the second day, as Dandenong began to feel the loss of not having Pattinson to bowl at one end.
Boraston finally snared the wicket of Mash (92), but the damage had already been done.
Tim Sheehan’s half-century also kept the combined side on the road to victory.
Siddle bowled tirelessly for the Panthers, taking 4/75 from a 24-over spell.
Boraston captured 2/77.
However Fitzroy-Doncaster proved too classy on the day, reaching its target with three wickets in the shed. Fitzroy-Doncaster will play Carlton in the semi-finals this weekend.