By Paul Pickering
DANDENONG’S early-season penchant for the dramatic continued on Saturday as the Panthers claimed their second straight final-over victory in their Victorian Premier Cricket one-dayer at Shepley Oval.
This time it was Adam Bull (25 not out) who struck the winning boundary – a deftly glided leg glance – to eclipse Richmond’s total of 186 with three balls to spare.
The Panthers’ third win for the season was headlined by a dynamic double act from youngsters James Butterfield (4/32) and Brett Forsyth (89).
Butterfield, a 193cm 19-year-old, made the most stunning of first XI debuts, snaring the crucial wicket of Chris Weeks (40) before returning to skittle the Tiger tail.
Teenage opener Forsyth, who has seized the opportunity to partner Warren Ayres in the absence of Kumar Sarna, orchestrated the Panthers’ chase with maturity beyond his years.
After guiding the Panthers to 4/164, Forsyth’s dismissal triggered a lower-order collapse that would have been fatal if not for Bull’s heroics.
Despite the close call, Ayres said his charges were always in control.
“It would have been a shame for us to lose, because I thought we were on top for the majority of the overs, but in the end we still had plenty of wickets in hand,” he said.
Ayres was particularly pleased with the first-up performance of his lanky young left-arm paceman Butterfield.
“He’s still very raw but he’s got a bit to work with,” he said.
“I really enjoy watching those young guys come through.”
With two wins from four matches, Dandenong will now host Footscray Edgewater at Shepley Oval on Saturday.
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