PREMIER CRICKET – Round 17 (day 2)
SUCCESS finally greeted Dandenong (238) as it sealed off its season with a resounding win over Northcote (90 and 3/162).
Carrying on from Tom Donnell’s 99 last week, this week’s standout effort would come from James Nanopoulos (5/12) – who speared through the Northcote tail after taking the crucial wicket of Eric Ghasperidis (22) – the only Dragon to get off the ground against the Panthers’ attack.
Justin Butterfield (3/28) and James Wilcock (2/19) would also line their pockets with Northcote victims as the home side failed to show any tangible fight against the visitors.
Sending the opposition back in to bat out their second innings, Dan Doran and his men didn’t fare as well after the resumption as Ben Abbatangelo (70 not out) ensured there would not be a repeat of the first innings.
Buttefield (2/10) and Adam McMaster (1/26) were the leading wicket takers in the second innings.
The last season of Dandenong Cricket Club – before their scheduled merger with Hawthorn-Monash University next season – will not be one for the record books as the Panthers slumped to a seven-win, nine-loss season, finishing 12th on the Victorian Premier Cricket ladder.
A late-season revival boosted the Panthers to 12th, but finals were off the table after a horror start had Dandenong 2-7 before picking up five wins in the second half of the season.
Tom Donnell (667 runs at 39.24) and James Nanopoulos (23 wickets at 18.78) led the club’s 1st XI in batting and bowling.
