By JARROD POTTER
Premier Cricket – Round 7 (day 1)
CHASED from the crease by St Kilda’s (3/122) star all-rounder Matt Chasemore, Dandenong (128) was all but beaten on the first innings in a lacklustre display at the Junction Oval.
The former Panther showed the form that earned him equal second in the Ryder Medal tally last season, as Chasemore ran through Dandenong’s top order en route to record his first five-for with St Kilda off figures of 5/21.
Tom Donnell (34) tried to emulate his form from last round against Frankston Peninsula, but succumbed to a straightener from Lachlan Graf (2/37). Donnell’s dismissal at 4/53 left the side struggling before the next wave of Panthers’ persistence began via James Nanopoulos (36). The crafty all-rounder – coming off career best figures of 6/28 against the Heat – was left to anchor the lower order as he added 31 with captain Dan Doran (13) to give the total some character. Justin Butterfield (11 not out) would hold on at the death to keep Dandenong at the crease, but lost the 10th man as Matt Willcocks (1) was run out. St Kilda needs seven runs for first innings points as Jackson Cooper (41) and Josh Manning (34) took charge of the attack.
VSDCA South East 1ST XI – Round 4 (day 2)
ENDEAVOUR Hills (279) had to toil in pursuit of a solid Ormond (194) target, but the efforts of Zach Allen (89), Ben Swift (71) and captain Chris Periera (41) shone through in the Eagles’ triumph.
The Eagles had to endeavour as strong innings up-and-down the order set up the thrilling run chase at Sydney Pargeter Reserve.
From the top of the order, Allen and Swift charged the run-rate along with a 56-run partnership for the third wicket. In five innings this season, Allen has found his way to the half-ton three times and has been the lynchpin at the top of the Eagles’ order and his form earned him a place in the Victorian under-19 squad.
Swift was left stranded at the other end by the Eagles’ middle order – falling from 2/150 to 7/173 in rapid succession – and while the chase looked a challenge, Swift held on to guide the Eagles past the required target in league with Alastair Christy. A solid captain’s innings from number 10 Pereira (41) pushed the home side well beyond the visitors, capping off an impressive match with his 5/31 in the Ormond batting innings.
Endeavour Hills sits third on the ladder and faces Elsternwick in a two-dayer starting on Saturday.
Despite a gutsy all-round performance from Mevan Fernando – snaring a five-wicket haul and belting his way to a strong half-century – Noble Park (195) fell in their chase against Kingston Saints (219). The loss leaves Noble Park eighth on the ladder before its two-day clash with Caulfield at home. (No second day scores available.)
