By JARROD POTTER
FOR a man well used to near misses in his cricketing career, Cranbourne all-rounder Matt Chasemore finally had something to cheer about this week.
After five losing grand finals, as well as plenty of close calls on Victorian Premier Cricket presentation nights, Chasemore had a week without comparison as he claimed two prized DDCA honours.
After winning the Alan Wookey Medal on Wednesday night, taking it with 32 votes over Jarrod Goodes, Chasemore backed up the league medallion with a premiership one as he played a crucial part in Cranbourne’s fourth innings chase.
Following his 10-over spell on Sunday afternoon, Chasemore arrived at the crease for the final innings at 2/30, hunting down 161 in only 27 overs.
The Eagles’ star all-rounders – Chasemore (59no) and Steve Spoljaric (61) – united to belt a match-defining 83-run stand before Chasemore carried on with Cam Dinger (10 n.o.) to strike the winning runs in Cranbourne’s Turf 1 victory.
“Extraordinary – absolutely extraordinary,” Chasemore said. “Best week – I’ve played cricket with St Kilda and they’re a very proud club and win and have always been winners.
“To retire from them and not have won a flag there really hits me hard, so to come back to my home club where I started as a kid and to grab one straight up is extraordinary.”
He wanted the side to get back out there after it was dismissed for 65 early on Sunday afternoon and the Eagles’ decision to return to the park for the second innings proved a premiership winner.
“Obviously we didn’t have a great day today and this morning, but we walked into the change rooms and Spolly (Spoljaric) was doubting – saying we wouldn’t go out there,” Chasemore said. “I told him to give us a chance – if we could chase 14 or 15 an over off 10 overs, why wouldn’t you – the way cricket is played now you can have a crack at that.
“Like I said during the week – don’t take it the wrong way – but we’ve got two really good batsmen and it’s not a coincidence that 150 gets chased down.”
He praised young spinner Cam Dinger – who took 6/44 in an incredible third innings spell – and the youthfulness of Cranbourne’s attack getting it done in the most unlikely of circumstances made the premiership even more incredible for Chasemore.
Chasemore also wanted to congratulate Springvale South on their efforts throughout the season, especially Bloods spearhead Jarrod Armitage for his incredible 7/20 in the grand final.
“Full credit to Springy South – got some really good mates there and they’ve been a really successful team, probably the St Kilda of DDCA cricket,” Chasemore said.
“To Armitage and Slocs (Craig Slocombe) – not apologies or anything like that, but certainly disappointment for them.
“Being the guy I am – I’ve been on the losing end five times in grand finals – and it’s not going to be great for them but Armitage what a great player.”
He saved his last words for the supporters around the league, as Chasemore made it clear that fans carrying on at the players from over the rope achieved nothing for the local competition.
“The last thing I want to say is in relation to the spectators – just watch the game, support your team, we don’t need to carry on like pork chops,” Chasemore said.
“I sometimes get painted out to be something I’m not – but let the good players come back and enjoy the competition and you don’t have to cross the line.
“Support the club and let the rest go.
“If the competition can stick to those sort of things it will be a great comp – it’s got some great players big (Michael) Vandort … why wouldn’t you want to play against him, why would you want to have a crack at him on the boundary line?
“Cause they don’t come back – good players will stop coming back and then your comp isn’t as strong.
“Just to the supporters – bloody just give us a break, enjoy the game, enjoy the challenge and do what your job is and support.”
Cranbourne’s reverse-outright Turf 1 flag was its first in the top DDCA grade since 1989-’90.
