A relegation standoff so tense the rule book had to be brought out.
Devon Meadows survived one of the most memorable yet gruelling run chases in Casey Cardinia Cricket Association Premier Division history to stave off relegation at home against Upper Beaconsfield.
The Panthers resumed at 2/20 pursuing 160 with star skipper Lucas Ligt (8) and fellow opener Zach Bates (0) already in the sheds and serving as nothing more than spectators and supporters.
And the day’s play began disastrously as Nathan Kleinig’s patience finally came to an end when he snicked off a Kyle Gibbs delivery for a 47-ball duck to be 3/20.
Nathan Worsteling (4 from 35) was similarly focussed, but also couldn’t add much score before he became Will Haines’ second wicket.
Connor Harmor’s (29 off 103) ultra-important stand then ended not long after, caught from a delivery from emerging quick Tyler Astle.
At that stage, Devon Meadows looked dead in the water at 5/43.
But experience and a cool head when tested always prevails.
Ben Marsh (37) and Lucas Carroll (31) absorbed plenty of pressure, guiding their side through an absolute barrage of Maroons attacks.
The pair scored slowly but eventually piled on 59 runs before Marsh was caught and bowled by AJ Claxton when he mistimed one and softly chipped it straight back to the spinner.
Chris Cleef then arrived and stuck it out with Carroll to see the Panthers through to tea at 6/111, still requiring 50 to stay up.
After the intermission, Carroll played a poor shot that was wonderfully plucked out of mid air by a desperate, diving Josh Westra at mid on to give Claxton his second wicket, but more importantly move Devon Meadows to 7/119.
The catch filled Upper Beaconsfield with belief and the celebrations were jubilant.
Cleef and Mark Cosgriff were then extra careful, trudging along for the next 12 overs before Cosgriff (8) also played a foolish shot, being caught in the deep trying to sweep one off the pads off the bowling of Haines.
The hosts moved to 8/145, still needing 15 runs.
Youngster Tom Rowe was the next man in with the entire club behind him.
But the game provided another twist when in the 73rd over and Devon Meadows 8/146, a Gibbs delivery was left alone by Cleef and spilled behind the stumps by Billy Gerrard-Kett, bouncing into the keeper’s helmet that lay unused on the ground behind him.
Complete confusion ensued, with a seven-and-a-half minute delay eventually met with the conclusion that the Panthers would be awarded five penalty runs after the rule book and laws of cricket were consulted.
It was a major boost to the chase, going from 8/146 to 8/151.
Devon Meadows inched along to within a boundary of the target score, and Cleef (31 not out) clipped one over mid wicket for three that saw the Panthers eclipse the required amount.
“I didn’t sit down the whole day,” Devon Meadows captain Ligt said of the nerves watching on.
“It was a massive relief.
“There was so much tension all the way, it just felt like such a long chase to the total, it’s a whole year’s worth of relief.
“It’s more than a game of cricket at that point, it’s massive.
“It was a crazy feeling for both teams.
“Both teams battled for the whole year and you could see out there, you could feel everything came down to the one game.
“Everyone could feel the pressure and even though they got 160, for our guys it felt like we were chasing 500.
“And for their bowlers, it would’ve felt like they were only defending 50.
“Even when it got to 15 to get, it still felt like it was far away and because the guys were so passionate and cared so much about the result, they all just felt a massive weight on their shoulders.
“To our guys’ credit, they managed to fight all the way and get it done.
“To Upper Beaconsfield’s credit, they fought really hard to get it done too and it’s stiff because unfortunately someone had to go down.
“They definitely put up a good fight.”
The experience and composure from the three lower order bats of Marsh, Carroll and Cleef was the point of difference, as the trio combined for 99 of the Panthers’ runs.
“That’s one of the things we’ve been juggling through the year to get the order right without trying to put all of our experience right at the start so in situations like that we have those experienced guys,” Ligt said.
“There’s a lot of pressure on them down there because they know as well that it’s their job and that’s what they’re there for.
“For someone like Squeak (Carroll), it doesn’t matter what situation we’re in, he’s someone that always believes we can win the game, he’s just that kind of player.
“I use him as an example to our younger guys as the mindset they should be in.
“When he was there, we had no doubts.
“Marshy’s had a great year, you’re confident when he’s there and it’s just so good for our club to have them in that position.”
The result obviously meant Devon Meadows will keep its position in Premier, while Upper Beaconsfield will be relegated to District next summer.
And while going down was nearly the reality, the Panthers still had plenty of positives this season, including multiple close losses to top teams.
That, taken in context with a number of injuries and some crucial batting collapses, fills Ligt’s side with some optimism for 2026/27.
“I said it to the boys after the game, we didn’t deserve to go down, so I’m glad we did win that game,” Ligt noted.
“Injuries hurt us a bit but it gave us some opportunities to give some young kids a really good look at the top level.
“We take huge benefits out of staying up, we’ve got more experience in the young guys, we work towards what we want to achieve.
“We understand we’ve got to get a lot more depth going on so in case we have those injuries, we can work around it.
“We definitely go in knowing what needs to be better next year.”
