Bulldogs take

FOOTSCRAY-Edgewater survived a new ball assault from the Pattinson brothers at Shepley Oval on Saturday but couldn’t handle the nagging medium pace of James Nanopoulos.
The visiting Bulldogs defied Darren and James Pattinson – bowling in tandem for the first time this summer – to compile an opening stand of 53 on day one, before slumping to be all out for 195 late in the day.
And while it was veteran swing bowler Paul Boraston (2/49) who dismissed both openers, it was all-rounder Nanopoulos (4/25 from 15 overs) who turned the game Dandenong’s way during the middle overs.
Nanopoulos (23 not out) then continued his fruitful afternoon by helping opening batsman Tom Donnell (11 not out) negotiate an awkward twilight period to have the Panthers at 1/34 at stumps.
It was a patient performance from the home side which did not allow any of the Bulldogs to score with any freedom.
James Pattinson (3/31 from 15 overs) hit the poles three times for his three wickets, while Pattinson Snr (0/27 from 15), Boraston, Brent Fairbanks (1/30 from 12.2) and Peter Sweeney (0/14 from eight) were all economical.
Shaun Dean (38) and brother Travis (26) were the top scorers for Footscray-Edgewater.
The home side will need a further 162 runs this Saturday if it is to earn six points and potentially reclaim a spot in Premier Cricket’s top eight.