DANDENONG’s (5/164) magic March, both the month and the run of success, continued with a five-wicket win over St Kilda (5/163dec).
In yet another match curtailed by rain, St Kilda captain Graeme Rummans (73 not out) sportingly declared after accruing a 136-run partnership with Andrew McGuinness (64). Justin Butterfield (2/25) struck early on Saturday, picking up Daniel Forbes (3) and Tom Moffatt (2) in his first spell before the rain interrupted proceedings.
After 46 overs, Rummans called his men back to the sheds to defend a tricky total for the Panthers to chase.
There need not have been any alarm bells as the perennially trustworthy Tom Donnell (79) in tandem with rising star Charith Cooray (47) piled out 112 for the second wicket to move Dandenong within striking distance.
Donnell, Cooray and Dylan Quirk (3) were removed with the score going from 1/128 to 4/135 and in threat of derailing.
James Nanopoulos continued his stellar season with an unbeaten 25 to lead the Panthers to the semi-finals against Melbourne this weekend at the Albert Ground.
The winner of that match will face the victor from Prahran versus Ringwood in the Victorian Premier Cricket grand final.
