Star

Push on for Panthers

By Paul Pickering

4th February 2010 11:00:07 AM

DANDENONG’S inconsistent batting line-up must make a stand at Camberwell this weekend if the Panthers are to keep pace with the top eight.

The Panthers will resume at 1/16 in pursuit of Camberwell’s 229, desperately needing to regain some momentum in the run towards the finals.

The Magpies elected to bat first on Saturday, but quickly fell to 3/41 after some impressive bowling from visiting pace trio Paul Boraston (2/39), James Butterfield (2/59) and Brent Fairbanks (2/57).

Camberwell captain Simon Hill took it upon himself to rebuild, anchoring the innings with a patient 63 from 140 balls. He found willing partners in Tom Rickarby (23) and Sam Parker (16), but the Panthers looked to have reclaimed the advantage when medium-pacer James Nanopoulos snared the vital wicket of the skipper.

Nanopoulos (0/13 from 11 overs) and accurate tweaker Peter Sweeney (1/16 from nine) proved near impossible to get away, but Magpies ’keeper-batsman Angus Brown (32) and young spinner Jack McNamara (32) ensured a competitive total by adding 67 for the eighth wicket.

It was an even – if not dynamic – performance from the Panthers’ attack, highlighted by an impressive return to the top flight for left-armer Butterfield, who made his second first XI appearance of the summer.

Dandenong’s response began shakily, with the loss of opener Tom Donnell (12) – whose score comprised of three boundaries – on the eve of stumps.

Brett Forsyth and Nanopoulos will take guard when play resumes this Saturday.

The 15th-placed Magpies have conceded more than 750 runs in their last two games at Camberwell Sports Ground, so the Panthers (11th) will have no better opportunity to find some form with the willow.