Greetings all and welcome to another season of premier cricket.

Once again we will be going into the history books through out the season to bring you some of the best games that the Panthers have played in as the rounds go by.

First of all I must say welcome to all our new players to the club. May you have a long, happy and successful time with us.

Also, I must say best of luck to Andrew Perrin playing in his debut first eleven game for the panthers and to our new captains. Glen Fenkelde, John Hayes and Darren Dempsey. Good luck guys.

Now, this season we kick off against Northcote for the Brendan McArdle trophy. A fitting tribute to a player who has given both clubs truly outstanding service.

The match I have picked out goes back to season1998/99. Ten years ago.

Ironically Brendan McArdle didn’t play in this game due to injury. That left Spinner Danny Bryant to run the show. Danny started well by winning the toss so the Panthers batted first.

Both teams had big name players in the line up. The Panthers side included Future Captains Matthew Lawrence and Tim Hooper plus future state cricketer for Tasmania Josh Marquet.

The Rams had players like Opening Bat Michael Allen, Future Australian Bowler Mick Lewis, Future Captain Travis Gloury and The man who was to go on to lead St.Kilda to there run of 5 premierships Tim O’Sullivan.

The panthers looked solid at first. Building solid partnerships on their way to a total of 3/163 at tea. Ben Nicholson as always playing the anchor role with a solid 88. However after tea the innings crubled as Adam McGinty and Mick Lewis took control of the lower order. Taking the last 7 wickets for just 53. Leaving Dandeong all out for 235.

Ben Nicholson’s 88 being the top score of the innings with Mike Edwards 40 providing valuable support.

Northcote’s run chase began well with Adam Smith providing the backbone of the top order with 54. Despite losing the first 4 wickets for just 57. A 99 run partnership between Smith and Tin O’sullivan put the Dragons back on track. However, when Josh Marquet had O’Sullivan caught behind by John O’Hare for 55 it signalled the mini collapse of two more wickets and the panthers were back on top at 7/179. The 8^th wicket stand of 33 brought Northcote back into contention before the captain, Adan McGinty was caught at 1^st slip by Tim Hooper for 6. Northcote 8/212.

Keady and Lewis added another 11 runs before Keady fell for 37. Caught at mid off by Josh Marquet off Matty Lawrence. 9/223.

The tension was high as both teams watched the scores edge closer and closer. 13 to win…then a maiden…then a single….then another maiden…then the Number 11 Batsman Burke took 6 runs off Matty Lawrence. 9/230 just Six runs to win.

Josh Marquet came in to bowl the first ball of his 25^th over. Mick Lewis had a big swing and the ball looked to be clearing the in field. Enter Danny Bryant. He ran back from his position at mid off and took the difficult chance. Lewis out for 6. Northcote all out for 230.

Matthew Lawrence with 5/58 and Big Josh Marquet with 4/45 were the stand out bowlers for the panthers in this thrilling contest. The other wicket being a run out, that of Travis Gloury.

A terrific clash between two evenly matched sides and is one that deserves it’s place in “ Craig’s classic clashes”

For those that are interested…here are the scorecards for this close contest.

Dandenong 1^st Inns.

B. Nicholson LBW Beattie 88

M.Lawrence C. Beattie B. Lewis 5

B.Aldons C.Lewis B. Smith 28

T. Hooper C.O’Sullivan B. Smith 20

M.Edwards Run Out 40

B.Francis LBW McGinty 6

D.Bryant C. Beattie B. McGinty 20

J.O’Hare run out 6

M.Boraston C. Collins B. Lewis 0

W. Carr not out 0

J. Marquet C. Allen B. Lewis 0

Extras 18

Total 235

Northcote Bowling

M. Lewis 14.5, 2, 40, 3

A.McGinty 14, 1, 42, 2

A. Burke 10,4,14,0

C. keady 12,3,28,0

T. O’Sullivan 7,2,19,0

A.Smith 22,8,34.2

D. Beattie 19,4,42,1

Northcote 1^st Inns.

J.Hopkins C.Nicholson B. Lawrence 6

M.Allen C. Hooper B. Marquet 19

A.Smith B. Marquet 54

T.Gloury run out 2

S.Collins C.Aldons B. Lawrence 0

T.O’Sullivan C. O’Hare B. Marquet 55

C.Keady C. Marquet B. Lawrence 37

D.Beattle B. Lawrence 12

A.McGinty C. Hooper B. Lawrence 6

M.Lewis C. Bryant B. Marquet 6

A.Burke not out 6

Extras 27

Total 230

Dandenong Bowling

J.Marquet 24.1,8,45,4

W.Carr 15,3,45,0

M.Lawrence 17,4,58,5

D.Bryant 19,7,50,0

M.Boraston 3,1,20,0

Well, that’s all for this week.

Catch you at the game,

GO PANTHERS!!!