By Tara Murray
Merrifield Panthers exceeded all expectations as they claimed their first North West Metropolitan Cricket Association George Luscombe Shield title.
The Panthers moved into the top flight of the NWMCA this season in just their third season of having senior teams.
They became the team to beat, losing just one match on the way to the premiership on Sunday.
President Harmandeep Bhathal said it was still like a dream the following morning.
“It was amazing,” he said. “I can’t explain it.
“To be in the position to try and achieve this is amazing. There’s been only about four teams that have shared the premiership for a number of years.
“To have two different teams in the final, it had never been done before.”
The Panthers entered day two of the grand final against Tarneit Central with it in their control.
They had made 307 on day one with Rocky Sharma making a 100 and Talwinder Prince making 90.
Day two was meant to be held last Sunday, but with rain it was postponed to this season.
Bhathal, who is also skipper of the first XI, said they needed to bowl well early.
“We bowled really well and we got the first four wickets cheaply,” he said.
“Gurpreet Singh batted so well and didn’t give us any chances and gave them a chance. But we knew with a big score on the board it was a difficult challenge, but you never know with cricket.”
Bhathal said the run rate started to get to eight or nine runs an over putting the pressure on Tarneit.
He said Tarneit was struggling to find the boundary and make them pay for any bad ball.
“When they started to lose wickets, the run rate went up,” he said. “They didn’t have someone to hit fours or sixes.
“Our ground is a big ground.”
Satnam Singh took three wickets for the Panthers, while Daman Sidhu and Prince took two wickets each.
Sharma was awarded man of the match for his performance on day one. He bowled just five overs on day two, but managed to get the early wicket of Pawanjot Saini to set the tone on Saturday.
Bhathal said at the start of the season they could have never imagined winning the premiership, having been knocked out in the semi finals of the lower grade last season.
It was a big weekend for the Panthers with their second and third XI sides also playing off in grand finals.
The second XI claimed the Keith Stringer Shield.
After making 9-394 on day one, the Panthers were able to restrict the Darebin Chargers to 278.
The third XI fell just short of making it a hat-trick of wins.
They were bowled out for 180 in reply to Donnybrook’s 208.
Bhathal said it would have been nice to have claimed all three premierships but it was still a pretty successful and special season.
