Dandenong’s Dave Newman launches into a wicket-taking delivery at Shepley Oval on Saturday.Pictures: Meagan Rogers.By Paul Pickering
ANOTHER consummate performance from seamer Dave Newman led the Dandenong Panthers to a 51-run victory over North Melbourne at Shepley Oval on Saturday.
Newman, who took eight wickets in a Victorian second XI fixture earlier this month, continued his rich vein of form by claiming 5/53 to help dismiss the Kangaroos for 313 in the Premier Cricket two-day match.
Having posted a formidable total of 8/364 on the back of a Brett Forsyth century the previous weekend, the Panthers pounced early on Saturday morning.
In a probing first spell, Newman snared both Roos openers before they had a chance to settle, with Lindsay Scown (9) edging to debutant wicketkeeper Tom Hussey before Simon Tuckett (1) was trapped in front without offering a shot.
But while Newman soon dismissed Josh Dearing to have the Roos struggling at 3/19, veteran skipper Darren Dempsey arrived to steady the visitors.
In scoring his 23rd first-grade century, Dempsey combined with partners Dale McDonald (33), Gene Maurice (47) and Daniel Salpietro (66 not out) to usher the Roos to 4/196 at tea.
With a crucial six-point result slipping away, experienced Panthers paceman Paul Boraston (2/70) emerged to snare the vital wicket, trapping Dempsey in front for 107 to snuff the Roos revival.
And while Boraston and Newman combined to clean up the tail, tweaker Nathan Allen (2/73) was to be commended for leading Dandenong through a tough middle session.
Despite failing to break through for a wicket, bustling right-armer Mark Carroll also made a solid debut in conceding just 40 runs from his 13 overs.
The win allowed Dandenong to hold its ground in the top eight despite big wins to some key rivals.
With three matches left in the regular season, the sixth-placed Panthers will travel to Geelong this weekend to square off against the Cats (eighth) on Saturday and Sunday.
Meanwhile, Panthers pace pair Peter Siddle and Darren Pattinson will be vying for selection in the Bushrangers side that will contest the Ford Ranger Cup final against Tasmania at Bellerive on Saturday.
