By Nick Creely
It was a night of celebration and reflection of an incredible year of success for the Dandenong Cricket Club, with the reigning Victorian Premier Cricket champions enjoy their presentation evening on Saturday 21 April.
The Shepley Oval powerhouse stunned the competition with its success this season, taking out both the one day and two day first XI premierships in two dominant displays.
It was also confirmed on the night that president Michael Findlay will step down after almost 15 years of incredible service for the Panthers, and has been a driving force in the growth of cricket in Dandenong and in the south-east region.
Findlay was the man behind the scenes that helped merge both the Men’s and Women’s clubs together into one, and leaves an enduring legacy at the club.
From an award perspective, champion all-rounder James Nanopoulos took out the Men’s Club Champion after perhaps his finest season to date.
Nanopoulos picked up 40 wickets in 21 games at an average of 16.63, and also contributed a handy 317 runs, including a half century against Northcote.
For the Women, Chelsea Moscript took out the Club Champion after a terrific season. Moscript snared 20 wickets and made 122 runs for the Panthers this season.
Other major award winners across the night were champion batsman Brett Forsyth, who took out the coveted Brendan McArdle medal after a stellar 825 run season that included a century and eight fities, Liz Williamson who took out Best club person and the extremely talented Ryan Quirk, who was named the club’s Best Under 21 player after making 716 runs in the second XI this season.
DANDENONG AWARD WINNERS:
Men
Club Champion: James Nanopoulos
Brendan McArdle Medal: Brett Forsyth
Best Under 18 player: Damien Gamage
Best Under 21 player: Ryan Quirk
Best club person: Liz Williamson
1st XI batting: Brett Forsyth
1st XI bowling: Darren Pattinson
2nd XI batting: Comrey Edgeworth
2nd XI bowling: Matt Wetering
3rd XI batting: Theo Lawson
3rd XI bowling: Luke Gandy
4th XI batting: Mark Boraston
4th XI bowling: Cody Miller
Highest run aggregate: Josh Slater, 822 runs
Highest wicket aggregate: James Nanopoulos (35 wickets)
Women
Club Champion: Chelsea Moscript
Cathryn Fitzpatrick Medal: Chelsea Moscript
Best Under 18 player: Jess Matin
Best Under 20 player: Julie Fearns
1st XI batting: Jess Matin
1st XI bowling: Emma Gallagher
2nd XI batting: Rebecca Jennings
2nd XI bowling: Zoe Burke
Highest run aggregate: Megan Pauwels
Highest wicket aggregate: Chelsea Moscript
