By Nick Creely
For Dandenong, Saturday’s comfortable win was a glimpse into the future, but also an intimidating warning of the depth the Panthers possess in the present.
While the Panthers sit second on the ladder after a six wicket victory over Monash Tigers at Central Reserve, the match had spurts of momentum with each side during the final white ball match of the season.
The decision was quickly vindicated after the visitors elected to bowl when Adam McMaster found Adam Amin’s (0) edge to give skipper Tom Donnell a catch off the third ball of the match.
Experienced pair Dan Sartori (20) and Andrew Chalkey (28) weathered the storm and poked the ball around to put on 48 runs, but impressive seamer Peter Cassidy got through the gate of Sartori to swing the momentum back.
The Tigers lost Chalkey not long after, and scrambled their way to 6/110 despite some impressive spells by James Nanopoulos (2/18), Akshat Buch (1/35) and Cassidy (1/28) towards the final leg of the innings.
Some late, lusty hitting by Tigers’ pair Sam Mills (51 not out) and Andrew Humphries (34 not out) saw the home side rack up another 85 runs in quick time – including 28 of the final two overs – to finish on 6/195 off their 50 overs.
Before anyone could blink an eye, the Panthers lost prized opening batsman Brett Forysth (5) early in the piece after some clever bowling by Sean Griffin (2/35), before the promoted Buch (0) spoon-fed a catch to mid-off to gift the Tigers a perfect start.
At 2/11, prominent young seconds batsman Comrey Edgeworth strode to the crease to greet his champion captain Tom Donnell in his second first XI appearance for the season, and first and foremost, consolidate after an underwhelming start.
The pair started slowly, with Donnell more of the aggressor, but Edgeworth showed composure beyond his years to stave off the new ball.
Edgeworth and Donnell found their touch after the drinks break, and began to methodically carve up the Tigers’ bowling attack.
The pair put on 136 runs, with Donnell contributing 84 off 126 balls and Edgeworth knocking up 55 – his maiden first XI half century.
And the Tigers couldn’t force their way back in the game, with Lincoln Edwards (29 not out) guiding the visitors home with six wickets left to spare.
But it was a glimpse into the power of the Panthers, and the excitement that awaits in the future with players such as Edgeworth at their disposal.
Edgeworth has now scored a combined total of 621 runs this season in the firsts and seconds, with three centuries and two half centuries next to his name.
The Panthers also won in the seconds and fourths, in another successful day for the club.
Tom Donnell’s in form side will return to Shepley Oval on Saturday, with the first two dayer of the season against Camberwell Magpies.
