By ROY WARD
DANDENONG Panthers scored a much-needed outright win over North Melbourne at Junction Oval in Premier Cricket on Saturday.
The Panthers started the day at 1-135 needing to pass the Roos’ 198 and were far from certain of having enough time to bowl out the home side and make whatever runs needed for victory.
Any plans for an outright win looked in trouble approaching lunch when the Panthers were bowled out for 239 after trying to pick up the pace, with Daniel Doran (82), vice-captain Tom Donnell (80) and Darren Pattinson (30 not out) the top scorers.
In response, the Panthers powered into bowl behind captain Pattinson (3-36), James Nanopoulos (3-9) and spinner Daniel Doran (3-42) who were among the wickets as the Roos were bowled out for a second time for just 123 from 36.5 overs.
The Panthers needed 83 to win from 13 overs and Donnell was surprised to find the Roos setting an attacking field with several fielders behind the bat.
“Needing 83 from 13 overs is a pretty borderline scenario in two-day cricket because they could have set a more defensive field,” Donnell said. “But they had two slips and a gully which actually made it easier for us to hit boundaries and we ended up getting there comfortably.”
Donnell (35 not out) and No. 3 batsman Steven Mullaney (20no) led their side to victory, finishing on 1-83 from 10 overs.
Donnell praised the return of Pattinson whose hard-hitting and speedy opening overs made a major impact on the match.
Pattinson returned to the side after missing the first day due to Victorian commitments.
“Having Patto back made a massive difference,” Donnell said. “Even his batting was crucial — he pretty much gave us the lead by himself and then his bowling was fantastic as the extra pace gave them a lot of trouble; he was unlucky he didn’t get a few more wickets.”
With an outright win tucked away, the side was continuing to develop its season, Donnell said.
“Getting this sort of points now could make a big difference come finals time. We went into the day hoping it would happen but you could never really bank on it.”
The Panthers went to second place on the Premier Cricket 1st XI ladder with 23 points and a net run rate of 1.61.
For all the latest breaking news, stay with this website. Also, follow the Weekly at facebook.com/dandenongjournal or on Twitter @DandenongJournal.
