By Nick Creely and Hayley Wildes
AROUND THE GROUNDS
VICTORIAN PREMIER CRICKET
ROUND 16 (DAY ONE)
There is no doubting that the talent within Dandenong is the envy of the competition.
While the Panthers; dressed in pink supporting the McGrath Foundation; dominated Northcote at Shepley Oval; it was also sublime elsewhere, with the first, second and third XI combining for an incredible 982 runs between them.
At Shepley, Tom Donnell’s men ran across Northcote to pump out 9/315, with Lincoln Edwards (82), James Nanopoulos (60) and Brett Forsyth (53) carving the ball around.
Winning the toss, Donnell (19) and Forsyth found the going tough early, grinding out a gruelling opening session with the Dragons up and about.
Debutant Josh Slater (21) showed nice signs after Donnell was removed, combining in a 38 run partnership with Forsyth.
But it was Edwards and Nanopoulos who thrilled, putting on a fluent, at times effortless 132 run stand.
Jacques Augustin (28 not out) put an exclamation mark on a dominant opening day, creaming the ball to the boundary late in the day as the Panthers cruised to a mammoth total.
“It was really good, it was a much improved effort on the last couple of games, and it wasn’t easy going, so it was good to see our guys dig in and do the work,” Donnell said of his side’s performance.
Donnell explained that it was tough going early, but well expected, and was pleased that the middle order responded to a few down performances and capitalized in the middle of the day.
“It was more the pace of the wicket, it was quite slow, and hard to score; there was bit of variable bounce, but we knew it’d get better to bat on, and that was the case,” he said.
“LJ is one of the best batsman to watch in the comp when he gets going, and he batted beautifully on Saturday; the whole middle order put value on their wicket and did well.
“It was great to see Slats (Josh Slater) get in, he’s made a heap of runs, trains hard and is loved at the club; he looked good and was comfortable, and got a start but couldn’t push on.
“It was disappointing that no one could get the hundred, but it was a good team performance, and we walk off pretty happy with it.”
Donnell was also full of praise for the second XI, who made an incredible 4/375 at Bill Lawry Oval, a total that featured centuries by Ryan Quirk (170) and Cam Forsyth (112 not out), as well as a well-made 52 to Comrey Edgeworth.
“We have some great young talent, and sometimes you wish you could play 12, 13 or 14 blokes, and it makes it hard for the selectors, but it’s such a good sign for the club and we’re in really good shape.
“Ryan Quirk made 170 in the twos, and he is batting beautifully so I’m sure he will get his shot soon, and it’s just a matter of finding a spot for him.
“There seems to be one guy in the twos every week that makes a big hundred, and it’s great for the club; the morale is really high, and it sort of gives us the feeling that we have a bright future.
“Our young guys are coming on, not stagnating, and becoming really consistent.”
The thirds also compiled a total of 7/292 at Wilson Oval, with four Panthers scoring half centuries.
The day wasn’t so flash for the Panthers’ local rivals, with Casey-South Melbourne already conceding first innings points against Monash Tigers at Casey Fields.
Michael Wallace (51) battled hard to lift the Swans to a competitive total after winning the toss and batting, with the home side losing clumps of wickets once again in the middle order to be rolled for 136.
Brendan Rose (2/36) struck on the second ball of the Tigers’ innings to instil hope into the Swans, but skipper Dan Sartori (60 not out) and Bushranger Dan Christian (41 off 30 balls) ensured the visitors would be 3/138 at stumps, two runs ahead.
The Swans will be desperate to avoid an outright defeat when play resumes, while the Tigers will need to earn the maximum points to stay in the running for a finals spot.
VIC SUB-DISTRICT – SOUTH/EAST
ROUND 12
Noble Park chipped away all day to post a competitive first innings total against Mt Waverley on Saturday.
Winning the toss and batting, star batsman Mevan Fernando (80) steered the ship, guiding the Parkers to 237.
The talented Jake Bradshaw (51 not out) helped the Parkers finish with a late flurry, as they look to build momentum heading into finals.
Endeavour Hills, meanwhile, had a tough day in the field against Croydon at Syd Pargeter.
The visitors belted 7/370 in the day’s play, with Aaron Fenton (123) and skipper Steven Wright (93) having the Eagles on toast.
Englishman Harry Johnson (3/54) took some wickets after relinquishing the gloves.
The Eagles will be desperate for Johnson to translate that form with the bat, as they try and be competitive in the run chase.
WARRAGUL DISTRICT
ROUND 13
Buln Buln put in another impressive performance, this time against Drouin. With the Hawks fighting to keep their finals hopes alive, the Lyrebirds won the toss and elected to bat.
And bat they did. After scoring a miraculous 4/376 in round 12, they continued their hot run of form with another 337 runs.
Rhys Holdsworth scored a century before being caught on 101 and was well supported by Bryce Monahan (69) and Brent Eastwell (41).
Chasing the daunting total, Drouin held firm and fought hard. John Perry was in rare form, scoring 137 not out, whilst Damon Healy (55) also stood out as Drouin posted 8/260 before running out of overs.
Ellinbank took care of business against Hallora. With the Kangaroos batting first, James Vela (85) and Brett Williams (56) both impressed, whilst Nicholas Fairbank was electric with the ball for Bankers, taking 4/38.
After bowling Hallora out for 196, Ellinbank’s batsmen took over and ensured the Bankers’ victory. Troy Ferguson was ruthless with the bat scoring 69 runs, including 13 fours. James Williams was at his consistent best for the Kangaroos, taking 6/60.
Longwarry and Yarragon produced an entertaining battle. Winning the toss and electing to bat, Yarragon scored 9/268 in 80 overs. Half centuries to Jake Borsato (59) and Gamini Kumara (52) ensured the runs kept ticking over.
After dominating with the bat, Gamini Kumara produced the goods with the ball as well, finishing with 4/65. Longwarry’s Tom Keily (69) and Troy Lehman (50) were prominent with the bat, but their efforts weren’t enough as the Crows were bowled out for 224.
Western Park had the bye.
WOMEN’S PREMIER CRICKET
ONE DAY – ROUND 7
Dandenong were unable to match the firepower of Box Hill in their one day matchup at Box Hill City Oval.
Megan Pauwels (3/37) and Emma Gallagher (3/41) bowled well for Dandenong, but a second wicket partnership of 106 between Zoe Griffiths (60) and Marie Kelly (65) saw Box Hill gain the ascendency early.
Box Hill posted 6/246 after 50 overs.
Dandenong got off to a rough start with the bat and were unable overcome the early wickets. At 3/16, Lucy Cripps (24) and Jessica Matin (41) combined to put runs on the board but it wasn’t enough as Dandenong could only muster 8/170 in 50 overs and slumped to 1-6 on the season.
In other results, Plenty Valley (6/196) defeated Prahran (9/191) in an instant classic and Melbourne (9/202) were too strong for Essendon Maribyrnong Park (165).
MPCA – PROVINCIAL
ROUND 12 (DAY TWO)
In sport, there are often performances that go unrewarded. That was the case for Pearcedale’s Chris Dew.
After starring with the ball (5/59), he also did his best to keep his side in the contest with the bat – scoring 67 – against Langwarrin.
The Kangaroos won the toss and elected to bat. Matthew Prosser (89) and Travis Campbell (52) were instrumental in guiding their side to a total of 8/219 after 80 overs.
Dew’s bowling ensured Langwarrin’s total didn’t get out of hand and was well supported by Kaine Smith (3/60).
Dew’s batting kept the Panthers in with a chance after a couple of early wickets, as did Matt Cousland (32) and Blake Eklund’s (29) efforts. Unfortunately, Pearcedale didn’t have enough contributors though, as they were bowled out for 173.
In other matches, Baxter (4/213) made light work of Mornington (122), Peninsula OB (212) defeated Crib Point (137) and in an incredible finish at David McFarlane Reserve, Sorrento and Mt Eliza finished tied on 117.
