Panthers up to pressure

By Ben Hope
THE Dandenong Panthers managed to keep up the pressure on the weekend, easily meeting their target of 229 against Camberwell.
The Panthers finished the day 8/231 after 96 overs and climbed into 10th position on the ladder, only three points away from a finals place.
Captain Darren Dempsey said he was very happy with the result that has given the team a real shot at a finals position.
“That game was pretty much our grand final; if we didn’t win we were no good. Now we are only a game or two off finishing fourth or fifth and playing in the finals,” he said.
Last week at the Camberwell Sports Ground the Magpies won the toss and elected to bat, setting their target at 229 in just over 92 overs.
The Panthers innings began shakily after opener Tom Donnell (12) was caught near the end of play, leaving the side 1/16 at the start of play on Saturday.
Nanopoulos was the first out on Saturday, leaving the crease with a respectable 22 after facing 43 balls and leaving the Panthers with 2/52.
However, it was a spectacular 81 off 240 from opener Brett Forsyth that saw the Panthers back in the game. James Pattinson also pushed the Panthers over the line with a fast 70 not out off 111 balls.
“Forsyth battled hard and held it together, it was important to our innings to keep someone in and keep a partnership going,” Dempsey said.
“Pattinson also made 70 beautifully, hitting boundaries and looked in control from the start.”
Dempsey said the wicket felt a bit slower than it had the week before, making it a more difficult to play square of the wicket shots.
“We had to be a bit more patient, but all in all they were good conditions.”
The Panthers will face Hawthorn-Monash University next week, with a final round contest against Fitzroy Doncaster.
“We should go in pretty confident against Hawthorn. They have had some good games this year but we should beat them,” Dempsey said.
“We still need to play well, we still haven’t put it all together yet but I am just happy we keep giving ourselves the chance to stay alive. Our last game could be a battle to see who gets it to the finals.”
The Panthers are now in 10th position on the ladder, only three points behind eighth-placed Frankston Peninsula.