VIC PREMIER CRICKET
REVIEW – ROUND 12 (Day 2)
By Nick Creely
IF there was one team in the competition this season that could defy the odds and chase down 350, it’s Dandenong.
Coming into the round as ladder-leaders, the confidence out of Shepley Oval was at an all-time high.
James Pattinson was back bowling at his best, James Nanopoulos continues to rise in the ranks, and players like Lincoln Edwards and Brett Forsyth continue to make runs.
But now the Panthers must head into the Christmas break sitting in third position, after almost pulling off an unlikely run-chase against Carlton at Princes Park.
After Nick Ross plundered a spectacular 130 not-out to lift the Blues to 351, the pressure was on as Tom Donnell and Brett Forsyth strode out to the wicket to face the music.
The star duo have slaughtered oppositions for many years, and with players having relatively quiet seasons in comparison to their lofty standards, the mood was that they were due for a big score.
And despite starting quite slowly, the Panthers looked on track, knocking the ball around with comfort en route to 62.
The class of the openers was evident to see, and with the Blues bowlers desperate to claim the first wicket, they were resolute in defense.
But then the first domino fell, as Blues quick Scott Woodman (3/80), playing his first game at the top level, got through the gates of star batsman Brett Forsyth (22).
It could have been the make or break of the day’s play.
With the foundation set, UK import Callum Parkinson, who has complied an impressive season with the blade, kept the momentum flowing, and with some solid stroke-play with Donnell, put on a terrific 90-run partnership that had the Panthers in the box seat.
But the triple-strike by leg-spinner Matt Culvenor (3/47) within the space of 30 runs, saw Parkinson (59) and Donnell (80) and Edward Newman (6) walk back to the sheds in disappointment.
Some aggressive resistance by Lincoln Edwards (45) and the star all-rounder James Nanopoulos (59) saw the score reach 5/279, and with plenty of overs and only 72 runs left to win.
It seemed like one of the most impressive wins in a stellar season for the Panthers was truly on the cards.
But late strikes, mostly by Ryan Sidebottom (2/64), halted the momentum of the Panthers, as Cameron Forsyth (3) and Tanner Stanton (6) both fell cheaply, and then Adam McMaster (3) fell just before stumps.
All-rounder Callum Parkinson said that it was a disappointing result, but was pleased with the fight of the group.
“We are disappointed not to get the target,” he said.
“We batted well – Tommy (Tom Donnell) with 80, me and Nano (James Nanopoulos) 59 apiece and LJ (Lincoln Edwards) 45, but noone went on to get the 120 or 130 we needed to get us in a position to get over the line.
“They were defensive very early on, ring fields and Sidebottom bowled very well.
“Also Ryan Quirk showed good bottle at the end to get us a draw in a game- I don’t think we deserved to lose.
“But throwing away starts is very frustrating.”
The game was eventually drawn, as the Panthers survived until stumps at 9/320, still 31 runs short of victory in a brave effort.
But the consequence in such a tight season will have the Panthers finally chasing some tail after failing to secure any points, after both Camberwell and Fitzroy-Doncaster enjoyed crushing wins, and as a result, now occupy the first two spots heading into the break.
At the conclusion of the first-half of the season, both local teams are inside the eight – Casey-South Melbourne has lifted itself from third-last into eight spot after their shock victory last week, while Dandenong sit just percentage away from top-spot.
