Victorian Premier Cricket: St Kilda rallies to defeat Kingston Hawthorn

Kingston Hawthorn coach Peter Marshall says his team needs to learn to “dig in” when the going gets tough in Victorian Premier Cricket.

Patrick Rowe drives through cover for St Kilda. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Being a former football umpire, Kingston Hawthorn coach Peter Marshall assessed his team as being “five goals up in the third quarter’’.

But the Hawks came undone in their run chase against St Kilda at the Junction Oval on Saturday, going from 0-80 to 160 all out.

They were set 213 to win at the ground for the second successive season.

St Kilda offie Todd Murphy removed Thaveesh Attanayake (40) to break the opening partnership, and quickie Henry Thornton returned for a burst to claim Shorye Chopra (1) and Ramnett Dhindsa (33).

Hawks opening bowler Sacheen Paramesh. Picture: Valeriu Campan

It became 4-83 when Romain Grenville (1) played a poor shot off Murphy; the visitors were on a slide that they were unable to halt.

Murphy finished with 4-29 off 10 overs and Thornton 3-19 off 8.2 as St Kilda went from being under pressure to grabbing a bonus point.

“Yeah, they had us under some pressure for sure,’’ Saints skipper Adam Crosthwaite said.

“We were a bit rusty with the bat. It was more of a 250 wicket. They (the Hawks) bowled well and set good fields.

“They got to 80 and had us under the pump. But Murphy came on through the middle and we brought back Thornton and he blew a hole in them. Our bowlers were outstanding and we fielded really well.

“Happy to get away with the win and to pick up the bonus point as well.’’

He said Murphy was an “exceptional’’ spinner and was ticketed for good things in cricket.

Wicketkeeper Patrick Rowe led the batting effort with 75 from 113 balls, and Dandenong signing Ed Newman hit 36 off 54 deliveries in his first hand for the Saints.

Jade Christensen on his way to three wickets for the Hawks. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Marshall said Murphy and Thornton were class acts but said the Hawks had to find a way to dig in.

“After the opening stand, we were poor. No excuses,’’ he said.

“We’re a young side but we had ‘em by the you-know-whats. We were five goals up in the third.

“We need to learn to dig in and put away reckless shots. You’re not going to win every game. But when you get into a winning position, you have to make the most of it. If you lose a wicket, you have to be prepared to bat through some tough times. Premier Cricket is uncompromising. Fair play to St Kilda. They ended up the better side.’’

Opening bowler Jade Christensen (3-30 off nine overs) and spinner Prateek Patil (3-36 off 10) did well for the Hawks.

The Saints made a clean sweep of the four fixtures and were chuffed that Caulfield recruit Jayden Banks took four wickets in the seconds.