Premier Cricket: Dandenong defeats Frankston Peninsula in Brett Forsyth’s 250th match

The Panthers could celebrate skipper Brett Forsyth’s milestone match with their first win of the season in Premier Cricket.

No 3 Josh Slater hit his highest score for the Panthers.

Josh Slater hit his highest score in Premier Cricket.

Matt Wilson took his first five-wicket haul.

And young Sam Wetering filched four wickets in his second match.

Put with another Tom Donnell half-century, it made for a happy milestone for Dandenong captain Brett Forsyth and a first win of the season for his team.

Forsyth played his 250th for the Panthers against Frankston Peninsula at Jubilee Park on Saturday, an achievement to set with a premiership, a Jack Ryder Medal, 18 centuries and more than 8500 runs.

Dandy won by 19 runs and the skipper was more satisfied with the victory than his personal accolade.

“It was just nice to play well; to get over the line was a good reward for effort from the whole club, really,’’ Forsyth said.

“As a team we played well, supported each other. And everyone tried to do their role to the best of their ability.’’

Milestone man: Dandenong batsman Brett Forsyth. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Noting the performances of Slater, Wilson and Wetering, he said: “It’s not often you get three guys with a personal-best in the same match. There were some real positives for them and Tom Donnell played really well too.’’

Forsyth (27) missed out with the bat, but his long-time opening partner Donnell (66) and No 3 Slater (80) set up the visitors for a competitive 5-235 after they were sent in.

It was a few too many for the Heat, who were bowled out for 216 in the final over, opener Ryan Hammel’s hand of 90 in vain.

Donnell’s 66 came off 93 balls and included eight boundaries.

While he’s been a familiar and fabulous presence in the Panthers XI for many seasons, fresh faces are coming into it after a large turnover of players.

Slater, a technically-pleasing right-hander, finished last season in the top team, scoring 36 in the grand final against Prahran.

His 80 on Saturday came from 110 deliveries and he hit 8 fours before falling LBW to former Dandenong ace James Nanopoulos.

Sam Newell, proving a handy signing from Kingston Hawthorn, cracked 2 sixes in his 25-ball 29 to give the innings some late punch.

Crossing from Carlton, paceman Wilson was perhaps Dandenong’s most accomplished recruit, and his 5-34 off 9.1 overs against Frankston-Peninsula was his best return in Premier ranks.

The right-armer was on a hat-trick after getting Akshay Kodoth and Brody Symons with successive balls.

He is relishing - and taking - his chances with his new club.

Wetering, given a surprise debut last week, removed dashing Frankston Peninsula opener Vishesh Bandal for three, took three more wickets near the end of the innings and walked off with 4-42 off his 10 overs.

The 18-year-old hits the medium mark but will pick up pace once he adds some meat to his bones.

Dandenong has found a good, young cricketer.

“He can swing the ball and he can be a bit slippery, get it to skid on at different stages,’’ Forsyth said.

“He’s got a couple of good skill-sets and he’s started incredibly well. He’s competitive and great for our team. Brings a lot of energy. He’s a Wetering.’’

As for playing against his premiership teammate Nanopoulos, Forsyth admitted it was a “bit strange’’.

Of course, he didn’t want to lose his wicket to the all-rounder.

“I think probably more of a contest was Tommy and ‘Nano’,’’ he said.

“They’re really good mates. One fell just short of first slip and went for four. I think ‘Nano’ thought that was his chance to get him. To be fair he (Nanoupolous) bowled well and was batting well before he got out.’’