By Nick Creely
Dandenong’s relentlessness in the early stages of day two against Monash Tigers meant the visitors were never really in with a shot at Shepley Oval.
The reigning Victorian Premier Cricket premiers climbed into seventh spot after six rounds, comfortably defending the formidable 309 they set.
Brett Forsyth (146 not out) – in game 200 – went searching for quick runs as day two resumed on Saturday and the home side batting on, launching some terrific shots over the fence before skipper Tom Donnell declared with one wicket left in the shed, ending the champion opener’s stunning innings. All 333 balls and almost seven hours of it.
Forsyth leads the competition in runs, and his 14th century at first XI level since emerging with his first on back in 2007/08 will certainly go down as perhaps his most memorable.
It didn’t take long for James Wilcock (1/50) to get the new ball talking, finding the thick edge of Adam Amin in the fourth over, gratefully snaffled up by Forsyth himself at gully.
With runs to play with, the Panthers were certainly aggressive with their field placements, and attacked the stumps, with Wilcock and Darren Pattinson causing plenty of headaches early.
The Tigers tried to get the game on their terms, looking to push the ball into gaps with more force than they intended, because the Panthers bowled so tightly, and fielded with hunger that even blocked the most simple of singles.
Despite looking set, Tigers skipper Dan Sartori (24) edged one off James Nanopoulos (3/36) to give the Panthers a second scalp, and Scott Edwards (29) and Sam Taylor (61) kept looking to move the game along, playing some lovely shots square of the wicket on the short side of Shepley.
But wickets kept falling, halting them whenever they seemed to have just a sniff of momentum. The Panthers once again proved why they are the reigning champs, that ability to seize moments when they are required.
It was Edwards that fell to some savvy bowling by Darren Pattinson (1/26), before double strikes to Nanopoulos and left arm spinner Akshat Buch (3/41) had the visitors 4/127.
Taylor tried in vain to keep his side within reach, but it was never going to be, and his crucial wicket, taken once again by Buch – who is developing a steady reputation for taking key wickets in key moments – saw the last hope of the Tigers swiftly fade away.
Buch now has 12 wickets at an impressive average of 14.42 so far this season, placing at the top of wicket takers for spinners in the competition so far. It’s little surprise, with his variations, ability to lock down on batsmen and appetite for big moments.
Some lusty late blows by Blade Baxter saw the score creep up to 171, before emerging seamer Jakeb Thomas (2/14) put an end to the resistance, giving the Panthers a dominant win in the end.
Dandenong take on Casey-South Melbourne at Casey Fields in Round 6, in what looms as an early season blockbuster between the two finals hopefuls.
In the seconds, the Panthers were unable to reel in Monash Tigers’ 354, ending on 251, with Comrey Edgeworth (80), Dane Heverin (65) and Dasun Opanayaka (50) all finding some runs. In the thirds, Monash Tigers defeated Dandenong by 143 runs, with the Panthers unable to chase down the Tigers’ 359, finishing on 206. And in the fourths, Dandenong (197) fell short of Monash (258).
In Women’s Premier Cricket on Sunday, Dandenong – courtesy of an all-round masterclass Chelsea Moscript – chased down Plenty Valley’s 93 just five wickets down.
Plenty Valley won the toss and elected to bat, but were shot out by Moscript, who took 3/14 off 10 overs, Emma Gallagher (2/27) and Maryam Omar (2/12).
Omar and Moscript got off to a strong start in the chase, putting on 36 beofre a couple of quick wickets had them 5/62.
But Moscript (42 not out) held her nerve, guiding the Panthers home with Julie Fearns (9 not out) playing a vital role at the end.
And in the seconds, Plenty Valley (5/273) defeated Dandenong (115) at Wilson Oval, with a stunning 105 not out to Sophia Field proving to be the match winner for the visitors.
Dandenong take on Essendon Maribyrnong Park in Round 7, with the Panthers looking to cement themselves in fourth.
