By Nick Creely
Berwick have become the second Dandenong District Cricket Association club to take out the coveted Cricket Victoria Regional Big Bash, after defeating Sunshine United at the MCG on Tuesday morning.
The Bears join Cranbourne from two years ago to take home the silverware, with Matthew Chasemore’s side controlling proceedings from the outset to further cement themselves as one of the most successful Twenty20 sides in local cricket.
Sent in to bat, openers Nathan Pilon (17) – fresh off some truly frightening form – and Jordan Cleland (51) got off to a fast start to slam on 55 for the first wicket, before both stars were eventually removed, with the latter doing plenty of damage on the wide expanses of the ground.
But Chasemore got going to once again highlight that he’s not lost any of his touch, cracking three sixes on his way to a match-defining 67 off 35 balls, capping off what has been an extremely consistent tournament with 214 runs at an average of 53.5. In fact, Chasemore was part of the Cranbourne side that also tasted victory on the ‘G only a few years ago.
The Bears posted 5/161 off their 20 overs, an excellent Twenty20 team display, which was clearly a strong total on a ground with large boundaries.
Quick Brendan Rose broke through quickly to snuff out any chance of Sunshine chasing down the runs, snaring three quick wickets to leave them reeling at 3/29 off seven, in a stunning spell of 3/9 off his four overs.
The former Casey-South Melbourne club champion showcased his impressive white ball skills once again as he continues to build into the back-end of the season.
Despite some fight by the Sunshine side, Jack Phillips (2/24), Cory Bevan (1/29) and Isaiah Jassal (1/31) helped restrict them to just 7/120 off their 20 overs.
Berwick’s path to glory:
Berwick 5/176 defeated South Caulfield 130
Berwick 9/129 defeated Collegians 8/123
Berwick 3/202 defeated Montrose 8/152
Berwick 5/161 defeated Sunshine United 7/120
