By JARROD POTTER
WOMEN’S VICTORIAN PREMIER CRICKET – ROUND 16 (Twenty20)
CHRISTENING its new-look pavilion in the best way possible, Dandenong Lions (3/95) sung the song proudly and loudly in the change rooms after a seven-wicket win over Essendon-Maribyrnong Park (6/94).
With City of Greater Dandenong councillors and staff members on hand to unveil the redeveloped Alan Carter Pavilion, it created the perfect backdrop for Dandenong Women’s Cricket Club to start the next chapter in its storied history.
It started with the ball as the ladder leader’s experienced heads – Emma Kearney (26) and skipper Briana Binch (20) – couldn’t curtail Dandenong’s attack.
Chelsea Moscript (2/13) was exceptional with her spin as the Lions threw the ball around to eight bowlers to hold the Bombers to 6/94.
The Lions’ response started poorly – losing Erica Kershaw (0) for a golden duck via Kearney (1/17) – but the tide turned quickly through a pair of Women’s Big Bash Leaguers.
Captain Kelly Applebee (42no) and Sophie Molineux (44) carted the Bombers to all parts of Greaves Reserve to shift the tempo – especially via Molineux who sensationally flat-batted a couple of sixes.
Their 86-run stand would prove critical in the end, as the Bombers ran out of options to restrict the Stars/Renegades one-two combo.
Molineux succumbed late in the clash, holing out to Mikayla Haddow off Taylah Lynn (1/6), but her knock was more than enough to hold up her end of the bargain.
It was a sensational display in only her fourth VPC clash this season – as Molineux has been off and about on state and WBBL duties throughout the summer.
Another to miss a large chunk of the season finished it off as Applebee struck the winning runs to keep Dandenong’s finals hopes alive, sitting two points off fourth placed Prahran.
Dandenong Lions will face Prahran at home on Sunday.
THE Premier Cricket race is just about run and done for Dandenong (157 and 1/54) in the Men’s competition, with its first-innings loss to Melbourne Uni (224)
Hopes were revived by a sensational bowling performance after the Panthers had to bat through tough, monsoonal conditions last weekend.
At 8/128 the match remained in the balance – as Dandenong’s spearheads Justin Butterfield (3/43) and Adam McMaster (2/61) seared through the top order.
With Peter Cassidy (4/36) and Tanner Stanton working through the tail, the Panthers hopes were sadly dashed by a stellar ninth-wicket stand between Steven Reid (66) and Elias Karageorgiou (35).
Brenton Murphy (25no) and Cameron Forsyth (22no) saw out the overs on a tough day at the office.
Sitting 10 points outside the top eight, with only two rounds to go, it will take a lot of outright success to sneak the Panthers into Premier finals.
It starts this round at home against Fitzroy-Doncaster before squaring off in the final home-and-away match against Greenvale.
