Left: Dandenong Panther Matthew Chasemore plays a front foot cover drive during the Panthers two-day Premier cricket match against Geelong on the weekend. Chasemore lost his wicket one run short of his half-century.Left: Ricky Damiano prepares to defend a ball during his innings of 40.By Glen Atwell
THE Dandenong Panthers got their two-day Premier cricket season off to the best start possible with a convincing 56-run win against Geelong at Shepley Oval on the weekend.
Panthers batsman David Newman (100 not out) scored the only Premier League century of the weekend as Dandenong batted first and blasted its way to 9/302 declared.
After Newman fell just short of his ton on Saturday evening, the Panthers resumed at 9/285 on Sunday morning and faced two overs – enough time for Newman to reach his century.
Matthew Chasemore and Kumar Sarna got the Dandenong innings off to an impressive start with a 35-run partnership before Sarna lost his wicket on 14.
Chasemore and Ricky Damiano continued to build momentum and when Chasemore lost his wicket for 49, the score was 2/98.
Two wickets then fell in quick succession – Damiano caught for 40 and coach Warren Ayres on his way back to the pavilion after adding only 5 runs.
At 4/117, Dandenong needed a strong innings, and found its saviour in Newman.
Newman had his eye in early and partnered with Adam Bull (35), crafting an impressive innings comprising every shot in the book.
After Bull was dismissed lbw, Tim Hooper lost his wicket for a duck less than an over later.
Darren Pattinson (12) then joined Newman at the crease and played an important occupying role as Newman dictated terms to the Geelong bowlers.
Paul Boraston also added 31 before the close of play on Saturday.
On Sunday morning James Pattinson (8 not out) protected his wicket long enough for Newman to bat his way to a remarkable century.
In the run chase, Geelong never seemed like posing a real threat to the 303 runs required for victory.
Openers Shaun Dean (5) and Tom Elliot (1) put up little fight against Dandenong pacemen Darren Pattinson and Boraston.
Geelong’s 19-year-old first drop Aaron Finch (10) got off the mark in the right style, but was soon caught by Newman off the bowling of Boraston.
With Geelong in big trouble, Joel Davies (68) led the Cats back into the match and found some support in the middle order.
But the wickets continued to fall at regular intervals.
Chasemore (2/12) took two quick wickets as the Geelong tail started to crumble.
James Pattinson ended the Geelong innings on 246 when he snared a sleek return catch.
Boraston was the pick of the Dandenong bowlers with 3/69.
On Saturday the Panthers are back on the road, travelling to Princes Park to begin a two-day match against Carlton.
