By Nick Creely and Lance Jenkinson
AROUND THE GROUNDS
VICTORIAN PREMIER CRICKET
ROUND 6
There has been little New Year cheer for Dandenong in the Victorian Premier Cricket.
The Panthers are licking their wounds after suffering back-to-back defeats for the first time this summer.
While it is not yet cause for alarm, it has undoubtedly been a deflating period in the season for the Panthers, who went into the Christmas break cock-a-hoop on the back of three wins from their opening four games.
The Panthers have tumbled from their lofty top four spot to seventh on the ladder and are in desperate need of a form reversal to avoid falling out of the top eight altogether.
Dandenong’s ledger is square at 3-3 after six games.
The Panthers are one of four teams between seventh and 10th on the ladder to hold 17 points, which shows just how vulnerable their position in the upper echelon has become in a short space of time.
Their latest defeat came at the hands of ninth-placed Ringwood at Shepley Oval on Saturday.
The warning signs came early for the Panthers.
A below-par batting performance – all out for 137 in 36 overs – was a big reason behind the four-wicket home loss.
Panthers openers Brett Forsyth (20), who recently brought up 8000 Premier Cricket runs, and captain Tom Donnell (9) got the Panthers off to a solid start with 31 for the first wicket.
But a pair of golden ducks to Aaron Fernando and Comrey Edgeworth proved a major setback for the Panthers.
Those wickets were part of a rare hat-trick for Ringwood opening bowler Ian Holland.
Dandenong showed some fight through the middle order.
Lincoln Edwards played his part in steadying the ship with 19 off 37.
Then James Nanopoulos re-discovered the middle of his bat in the most positive development of the day for the Panthers.
Nanopoulos was both the saviour of the innings and the entertainer en route to a fine 70 off 76 balls, including five fours and a six.
In his previous five games, the all-rounder had taken more wickets than scored runs, so if he can start wielding the willow like he did last season, it will be invaluable for the Panthers.
The only trouble on this occasion is that Nanopoulos had no help from the tail-enders.
The last five Panthers batsmen combined for a measly 13 runs.
Ringwood’s run chase got off to a shaky start, largely due to the continuation of Nanopoulos’s white hot form with the ball.
Nanopoulos, who has a league-equalling best 19 wickets, snared the first two wickets of the innings to have the Rams 2/5.
The Rams would be 4/37 before their No. 4 batsmen David King slowly wrestled back the momentum of the game with 50 off 88 balls.
The difference in the game was the lower order sparkled for the Rams.
Jackson Freeman knuckled down for 22 off 55 balls before Arjun Dhull (23no off 17) and Jake Toohey (26no off 20) guided the Rams to victory.
Jakeb Thomas was Dandenong’s second multiple wicket takers with 2/35 off seven overs, while Suraj Randiv returned an economical 1/12 off eight overs.
The recent form dip has created extra pressure on Dandenong heading into the most important week of the season for all clubs.
The Panthers have a hectic three games in seven days, including a trip to Footscray on Saturday, an away game against Camberwell Magpies on Australia Day and home game against St Kilda on 30 January.
Down at the University Oval, Melbourne Uni flexed its muscles in a comfortable win against Casey-South Melbourne.
It was a strong start for the Swans – courtesy of seamer Cal Dodson (4/46) – who had the home side stumbling at 3/40, and eventually 4/78 when gun batsman Andrej Yaksender was sent packing.
But a gem of a knock from Uni skipper James McNeil (94), and a fighting 41 from keeper Noah Croes ensured the home side would post 237, bowled out with three balls to spare.
It was another impressive showing from Dodson, who now has 11 wickets in his debut season for the Swans, while young left-arm spinner Ash Adihetty (3/44) was instrumental through the middle overs and seamer Jackson Fry toiled hard to take 1/40 from his 10 overs.
Boom youngster Ash Chandrasinghe was prized out early by towering quick Simon Mackin (1/21), and despite some fight from skipper Michael Wallace (23) and Devin Pollock (30), the Swans soon found themselves 6/73 and in dire trouble.
Ash Adihetty (37) proved he has some talent with the blade with an assured knock, but the Swans were rolled for 142, with Liam Scammell (3/34) and Ben Rolfs (3/31) the chief destroyers.
The 13th placed Swans will be desperate to keep in touch with the top-eight when they host Northcote at Casey Fields on Saturday.
VICTORIAN SUB-DISTRICT – SOUTH/EAST
ROUND 7
What a stirring win from Endeavour Hills.
Against its rivals, Noble Park on Saturday, the Eagles got home in a seven-run thriller, holding off the Parkers in a grand stand finish.
The home side batted fluently – largely through the efforts of opener Shannon Rozario (58) and Austin Heldt (40) – posting a competitive 7/170 from its 40 overs.
Amal Athulathmudal (1/19) and skipper Issy Perera (2/23) were the pick of the bowlers for the Parkers.
Despite a string of partnerships through the middle, the Parkers were restricted to just 6/163, only a few big hits from victory with the Eagles bowling with great discipline to snare the victory.
Veteran Eagle Richie Saniga (2/23) was instrumental as per usual.
The loss is a blow for the Parkers’ finals chances sending them to a 2-5 record, while the Eagles sit in 12th, also now with two wins next to its name.
MORNINGTON PENINSULA – DISTRICT
ROUND 8
It’s taken eight rounds, but Pearcedale finally has a win on the board.
Up against second-last Hastings at home on Saturday, the Panthers put together its most complete team performance of the season to bank some points.
The Blues were well-served with a 99-run opening stand from Matt Foy (47) and skipper Luke Hewitt (59), but fought back admirably to restrict the visitors to 4/147.
It was with the bat that the Panthers showcased a ruthless edge, running down the target with nine overs to spare and with just the loss of three wickets.
Gun opener Brad Trotter (53) was in fine touch, combining for 83 with fellow opener Josh Swainston (49), while Nathan Prosser chimed in with an aggressive 34 not out.
WOMEN’S PREMIER CRICKET
ROUND 7
The top-of-the-table Melbourne taught Dandenong a valuable cricketing lesson at Beaumaris on Sunday, winning by 10 wickets in a dominant display.
The Demons have looked indestructible in 2020/21, and its remarkable form continued with yet another eye-catching team effort.
Nicole Faltum’s Panthers battled hard, but were ultimately bowled out for 182 after being sent in, with Lucy Cripps crunching a classy 53 after coming in at 4/56 to help put the visitors into a competitive position.
But the Panthers simply had no answers for Melbourne’s opening pair of skipper Teagan Parker (60 not out), and Rhiann O’Donnell (105 not out), who were dominant as the home side raced the total down in just 37.2 overs.
The pair crunched 18 fours and four sixes in a memorable performance to keep its undefeated season alive for another week,
The Panthers sit in third spot and will be looking to break into the top-two when it takes on second-placed Ringwood on Sunday.
