DEVON Meadows squandered an ideal start on Saturday to leave its clash delicately poised against Pakenham at the Cranbourne Racecourse.
Darren Morrow and Peter Zauner got the home side off to a flying start, reducing the visitors to 3/5 in the fourth over.
Doug Loudon picked up the slack after Morrow (2/8) broke down with a back injury, claiming another early wicket to leave the visitors struggling at 4/32.
Just as the Panthers were set to tear through the Lions middle order, they put down several chances to allow the Lions back into the game.
The Panthers’ persistent line and length eventually broke a 79run fifth wicket partnership and Zauner and Loudon looked to tear through the Lions’ lower order.
The Pakenham tail proved resilient however, adding 36 for the ninth wicket before Zauner (3/80) claimed his third wicket.
Loudon (4/75) ended the innings with his fourth wicket to dismiss the lions for 170.
Devon Meadows made a terrible start to its run chase when David Carson and Loudon fell early to leave the Panther reeling at 2/22.
Darren O’Brien also fell cheaply, however Matt Davidson remained resolute to finish 37 notout and with Travis Canavan (12 not out) will resume the Panthers’ run chase at 3/73.
C GRADE
Devon Meadows has already conceded firstinnings points in a disappointing performance against Lang Lang at Glover Reserve.
After winning the toss, the home side had no answer for the formidable Swamp Tiger attack, losing regular wicket to be eventually dismissed for 73.
Skipper Lincoln Hepburn (35) was the only Panther batsman to reach double figures.
Despite a first over wicket, the Panthers were unable to defend their meagre total, the Swamp Tigers reaching 4/116 by stumps.
Hepburn (1/33), Neil Baker (1/14), Luke Wishart (1/35) and Luke Marrow (1/5) took the wickets.
E GRADE
Devon Meadows finds itself in a strong position against Kooweerup after dismissing the home side for 267 on the slick Kooweerup Primary School Ground.
Brett Vance (3/75), Justin Mentiplay (3/66) Ian Hopper (2/20) and Daniel Marascia (2/51) claimed the wickets and Chris Morrell took two excellent catches as the visitors held the home side to its moderate total.
In reply, the Panther lost Mark Fairborther (13) and will resume their run chase at 1/26.
UNDER 15
The Panthers have already secured firstinnings points with a clinical display against Kooweerup.
Luke Howard (2/7 off five overs) claimed a wicket in his first over as he, Chris Morrell (2/15) and Hayden Enlund (2/17) took two wickets apiece to have the Demons on the ropes at 6/35.
Brandon Mackie (1/9) broke an ominous seventhwicket partnership before Daniel Marascia (3/10) claimed the final three wickets to dismiss Kooweerup for 80 off the final ball of the 20th over.
Nick Thompson completed two slick stumpings and Marascia a sharp slips catch to help restrict the visitors.
In reply, Arthur Churchill showed great patience and maturity to blast four fours and a towering six before retiring on 33, while Brandon Mackie (14 not out) and Nick Thompson (13 not out) guided the home side to firstinnings victory, the Panthers finishing 2/102.
UNDER 13
The Panthers set an excellent total of 6/170 against its top four opponent Pakenham Gold on Friday night.
Chris Benedek (27 not out) and Ben Hussey (27 retired) laid the foundation for the innings and Andrew Lay (25 retired) and Anthony Northeast (26 retired) continued their good form to guide their side to a sizeable total.
