Premier Cricket final: Dandenong crushes Fitzroy-Doncaster in decider with Test quick Peter Siddle man of the match
THE end came swiftly for Fitzroy Doncaster on Monday as Dandenong romped to the 2017-18 Premier Cricket title.
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THE end came swiftly for Fitzroy Doncaster on Monday as Dandenong romped to the 2017-18 Premier Cricket title.
It took an international attack to extinguish the Lions’ hopes of recording a historic hat-trick of premierships as Darren Pattinson and Peter Siddle combined for 14 wickets over the three-day final.
Set 38 to record its third premiership, it was fitting Dandenong openers and great mates Brett Forsyth (10 not out) and Tom Donnell (28 not out) passed the total without loss.
“It’s more relief than anything. Not really a nervous person but the last three days it is always nerving playing in a grand final,” Donnell reflected in the winners’ rooms.
“I was really nervous this morning, I was up at 3am thinking about what could happen, but it worked out perfectly.”
Donnell said toppling two-time reigning premier Fitzroy Doncaster made the win sweeter.
“They are such a good club, so well structured, good players, they’re such a good club so it’s always good to beat good opposition,” he said.
“(You) feel a bit of pressure every time you win the toss and bowl so I’m glad the bowlers got the job done.”
While Siddle did the damage on day one, it was former English quick Pattinson who took a star turn with the Kookaburra on the third morning.
The veteran paceman, 39 in August, was unwavering in his length. Three of his dismissals were snaffled by former Fitzroy Doncaster gloveman Jacques Augustin.
Pattinson captured three wickets inside the first 30 minutes, removing overnight pair Matt Frith (24) and Liam Banthorpe (15) before claiming the important scalp of danger man Trent Lawford.
The former South Australian Redback held the key for the Lions — a quick half-century from the Ryder Medal favourite could have made for an interesting afternoon at the Junction Oval.
Instead, he nicked off for 2 as the Lions slumped to 7-150 with a lead of just 26. The premiership was heading to Shepley Oval.
Let the celebrations begin! @DandenongCC celebrates its @vicpremcricket triumph! pic.twitter.com/9cud0cOTfH
— ldrlocalcricket (@leadercricket) April 2, 2018
The last recognised batsman — Lloyd Mash (14) — was the next to fall to Pattinson, who finished with figures of 4-29 from 13 overs, before Siddle took the last two wickets as the Lions were bowled out for 161 in 66.5 overs.
Together they took 14-138 from 56 overs, proving their class with the ball.
Donnell and Forsyth made brisk work of the chase, reaching the target in 5.1 overs to give the Panthers their third Premier Cricket premiership to go with the 2006-07 and 2010-11 titles.
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