By Nick Creely
Dandenong’s sizzling opening month to the 2017/18 season has been disrupted, with the Panthers inflicted with their first loss of the season against Melbourne Uni on Saturday.
Uni skipper James McNeil sent the Panthers in to bat, and it took just until the second over for star bat Brett Forsyth (0) to fall caught and bowled to Mark Stafford (1/35) – a massive wicket considering his rollicking start to the season.
Skipper Tom Donnell (7) and promoted batsman Comrey Edgeworth (45) steadied on a tough track, before Donnell was caught behind off in form quick Wes Agar (1/24) to leave the visitors 2/18 – an almost unseen scenario facing the Panthers in the opening four games of the season.
Edgeworth combined for strong partnerships with Ed Newman (19) and LJ Edwards (24), but quick wickets in the middle stages of innings had the Panthers 7/121, and when Edgeworth was bowled on the brink of a maiden first XI half century, the momentum shifted back to the Uni.
But it caps of a stunning first five rounds for the classy top order batsman, who will be hard to remove from Dandenong’s side. Edgeworth has made 87, 38, 110, 110 in the seconds before earning his chance in the top side.
Unrecognised batsmen Akshat Buch (28 not out) and Peter Cassidy (19) then ensured the Panthers could reach a competitive 8/178 off their 50 overs with some late hitting.
Uni openers James Bett (53) and Andrew Young (19) got off to a swift 49 run start on their home deck, before Peter Cassidy picked up the vital breakthrough of Young.
But the Panthers struggled to contain Bett, who made an elegant half century, and when he was finally removed by left arm spinner Buch (2/47), the damage was already done with the score reaching 3/101.
Despite a commendable fightback in the middle, with the Panthers reeling Uni back to
6/157 in the 38th over, the home side comfortably passed them seven wickets down.
Jak Jowett (2/36), James Nanopoulos (1/27) and Peter Cassidy (1/26) also chimed in with
wickets.
The Panthers have also been bolstered by the signing of County star Steven Mullaney for
the rest of the season, who will return to the club after a stint five years ago.
Dandenong’s seconds were also inflicted with a heavy loss, with the Panthers losing by seven wickets at Shepley Oval. The Panthers were rolled for just 92 in 41.5 overs, before Uni easily passed them in just 21 overs.
Down in the lower grades, the thirds won by three wickets and the fourths lost in a tight one wicket affair at Wilson Oval.
In the final round of one-dayers in Round 6, Dandenong will play the struggling Kingston Hawthorn on Saturday as they look to bounce back from an unfamiliar loss.
