A Brett Forsyth 50 rescues Dandenong against Richmond

Brett Forsyth and Suraj Randiv rescued the Panthers after they collapsed chasing only 110 against Richmond at Shepley Oval.

Brett Forsyth steered Dandenong to a tense victory.

It’s a season of one-day matches in Premier Cricket.

Batsmen are trying to belt the cover off the white ball.

But it took a careful and patient innings from one of the competition’s craftsmen to take Dandenong to victory over Richmond in the Round 3 match at Shepley Oval on Saturday.

Dandy bowled out the Tigers for 110 in 36.2 overs, only to suffer their own collapse.

At 7-62 they had a lot of work to do. But they also had Brett Forsyth at the creases.

The No 3 walked out at 1-1 and watched six wickets fall.

In his seventh partner Suraj Randiv he finally found someone to keep him company, and the experienced pair put on an unbeaten 50 to give the Panthers the points, as hard earned as any they will bank this season.

Forsyth was unconquered on 52, off 123 balls and with 4 fours, and Randiv walked off 28 not out, off 60 deliveries, with 2 fours and 1 six.

Dandenong had needed 43.3 overs to run down the small target on a pitch that had no obvious defects.

Assistant coach Craig Slocombe presents Braden Taeuber with his First XI cap.

Brilliant young Tiger offie Reiley Mark ate through the home team’s top-order, having captain Tom Donnell LBW for a second-ball duck, getting fellow opener Lincoln Edwards caught and bowled for 15, and trapping No 5 Aaron Fernando LBW for a blob. The 17-year-old finished with 3-29 off 10 consecutive overs. He’s a tremendous prospect.

Ed Newman (4), James Nanopoulos (4), Comrey Edgeworth (6) and Peter Cassidy (1) fell cheaply too as the Tigers pushed for a stunning victory.

But they couldn’t dislodge Forsyth, who batted on to his 40th half-century in Premier Cricket.

Randiv is a top-class spinner, but not to be underestimated with the bat, and he and the Ryder Medal champion made sure the bowlers’ earlier efforts weren’t wasted.

Cassidy knocked over Scott Edwards, Tim Goodman and Zac Sleeman, and Nanopoulos had Kyle Viccars caught behind as Richmond slumped to 4-12.

Its positioned weakened further when Adam Amin cut a Jake Thomas long hop straight to Forsyth on the third-man boundary.

Then Edwards hit the stumps after a brilliant pick up and throw to remove dangerous Richmond all-rounder Marcus Berryman.

Sam Mills resisted and persisted for his 32 off 76 balls, and Tobias Keast clipped 15 from No 10 to take the Tigers past 100.

It seemed inadequate, but if not for Dandy’s eighth wicket it would have been enough.

The Panthers gave a First XI debut to Monbulk recruit Braden Taeuber, who returned 0-17 off his five overs. Cassidy (3-24 off eight), Nanoupoulos (3-39 off 10), Thomas (2-11 off 6.2) and Randiv (1-17 off seven) split the spoils.

Dominic Matarazzo (1-18 off 10), Keast (2-24 off 7.3) and Berryman (1-10 off eight) helped keep the Tigers in it.

But it was a day when a batsman known for going the distance held firm with fighting and matchwinning 50.