By ROY WARD
DANDENONG has put its Premier Cricket finals place in jeopardy after losing to Ringwood at Shepley Oval on Saturday.
The Panthers resumed at 1-30, chasing the Rams’ first-day total of 237 and looked well on the way to victory with Charith Cooray (48) looking strong.
CLICK HERE for our picture gallery of the big match.
Brett Forsyth (38) and Steven Mullaney (27) took the home side to 2-117.
But Forsyth’s dismissal at the hands of Rams star David King (4-34) started a collapse of 8-68 and the home side was eventually all out for 185 from 65.5 overs.
King led the wicket-takers for the Rams and Ian Holland (3-58) and Michael Topp (2-30) also took key wickets.
Panthers vice-captain Tom Donnell said his batsmen had not held onto their wickets long enough to make the total.
“It was a disappointing result after we had set the day up well,” Donnell said.
“No one in the middle order put their hand up to bat a long period of time.
“It was just a disappointing result, especially when we had a lot to play for.”
The loss left the Panthers in eighth place on the ladder with two matches left in the season.
A win could have taken them well to the verge of the top four.
“We still have to win the next two games to play finals. If we had won we could have been in fifth,” Donnell said.
“But we can’t dwell on it too much. We have to pick up our game and move forward quickly. Hopefully, the batsmen improve from here.”
Donnell said his side needed to improve its batting if it wanted to make the finals.
“Hopefully, it gives us the realisation we need to work harder and switch on while batting.”
“If we go deep into the finals, we need to be chasing down those scores.
“As a whole group of batsmen we all need to step up.”
Panthers captain Darren Pattinson missed the match because he was playing for Victoria. But he may be able to play the next game, depending on whether he is still in the Bushrangers side.
The Panthers visit Fitzroy-Doncaster at Schramms Reserve for a two-day game starting at noon this Saturday.
Premier Cricket ladder: Melbourne 73 points, 1.74 per cent; Prahran 70, 1.33; Ringwood 59, 1.25; St Kilda 57, 1.41; Richmond 51, 1.71; Carlton 49, 1.09; Frankston Peninsula 48, 1.01; Dandenong 47; 1.32; Melbourne Uni 47, 1.05; Fitzroy Doncaster 44, 1.11; Casey-South Melbourne 41, 0.82; Geelong 35, 0.88; Camberwell Magpies 33, 0.80; Footscray Edgewater 27, 0.93; North Melbourne 26, 0.70; Haw-Monash Uni 12, 0.63; Essendon 12, 0.62; Northcote 9, 0.53.
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