Dandenong paceman Paul Boraston prepares to rattle a Melbourne University batsman at Shepley Oval on Saturday. The Panthers won and Boraston finished with the tidy figures of 2/47.Johann Brohier gets ready to throw a fielded ball into Panthers wicketkeeper Ricky Damiano’s gloves.THE Dandenong Panthers must win at least one of their two remaining games to secure a Premier League finals berth.
A fine victory over Melbourne University on Saturday at Shepley Oval has placed the Panthers in a strong position to secure third or fourth spot on the first XI ladder.
Chasing the Panthers’ declared total of 302, the students got off to the worst start possible, losing Patrick O’Beirne for a duck, caught behind off the bowling of Darren Pattinson. Brendan Joseland (55) and Shawn Flegler (89 not out) top-scored for Melbourne University, but lacked support from their team-mates. The last five wickets of the innings fell for just 19 runs, as Paul Boraston finished off University’s hapless tail.
All out for 251, the loss slides the students back into the crowd of teams vying for fifth and sixth spot on the ladder. The Panthers enjoyed outright fourth position on the ladder and only with a disastrous end to the season could Dandenong relinquish its chance at premiership glory.
The Panthers take on third-placed Fitzroy-Doncaster this Saturday at Schramms Reserve in a two-day match.
Dandenong is the form side of the competition heading towards the finals and would no doubt be focused on asserting their authority over another definite finals contender.
