Premier Cricket 2018-19: James Seymour equals career best 161 in Essendon’s win over Northcote
On a day dedicated to celebrating Essendon’s past, one of the club’s current Premier Cricket stars launched the Bombers to an eight-wicket victory over Northcote.
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On a day dedicated to celebrating Essendon’s past, one of the club’s current Premier Cricket stars launched the Bombers to an eight-wicket victory over Northcote by equalling his career-best score.
Opener James Seymour, fresh off three unconquered half-centuries in the Futures League and a hundred against Melbourne, plundered 161 from 155 balls to thrill the past players packed into the stands at Windy Hill.
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The knock continued Seymour’s rich vein of form — in the past 12 days he has amassed an awe-inspiring 518 runs at a strike rate of 116.
“It was pretty clean hitting,” Dons captain Aaron Ayre said.
“He’s so still at the crease and he waits for the bowler to get in his area.
“A couple of years ago he went a bit too hard, at certain times especially.
“But now he has really picked his zones he can hit in, waits for them to bowl there, hits them to it and hits them hard.”
The Dragons would have been content with their total after stretching their overnight score to a final tally of 278 on Sunday thanks to lower-order contributions from Blayde Baker (28), George Garton (24), Aaron Crispe (39 not out) and Michael Rogneda (18).
Matt Doric took two of the four wickets Essendon required on day two, finishing with 5-85 from 30.4 overs to collect the 11th five-wicket haul of his career.
Seymour and Aaron Ayre wasted no time eating into the target, racing to 47 before Ayre was skittled by Michael Edwards (1-53).
And that'll do it. Another hundred for James Seymour in @vicpremcricket. At 100no, he has 457 runs @ 457 in the past 12 days. Eye-popping stuff! @EssendonCC pic.twitter.com/SzzNFkd1iu
— Tim Michell (@tim_michell) February 10, 2019
The next wicket would not fall until the Bombers were within 23 runs of the total as Seymour produced a superb display of controlling power hitting and No. 3 Justin Galeotti played a perfect support act.
Seymour equalled his effort from Round 8 against Ringwood, compiling his third hundred of the summer to move to 751 First XI runs in 2018-19.
The left-hander is only 49 runs away from joining Ayre, Ben Fletcher and Edgar Mayne as the only Essendon batsmen to score 800 runs or more in a season.
He carved balls through and over point at will, hammered pull shots to the fence with brute force and drove powerfully down the ground.
The pick of his brilliant innings with a lofted straight drive off English quick George Garton which cannoned into the fence on the full.
A rich round of applause for James Seymour who equals his @vicpremcricket high score, caught down leg side for 161 off 156.
— Tim Michell (@tim_michell) February 10, 2019
That gives him 518 runs @ SR of 115.6 in the past 12 days! pic.twitter.com/NAZoJ5DQw3
“Jimmy is in the form of his career and he has been rightly rewarded with a Second XI game,” Northcote coach Steve Taylor said.
“When you run into those guys in red-hot form they’re pretty hard to stop.
“But I’m proud of the way the boys fought it out.”
Galeotti was unbeaten for the second straight match, backing up his 73 not out against Melbourne with an unbeaten 74 from 165 deliveries.
Where he has been previously renowned for his patience and temperament, Galeotti has added a mix of stylish strokes to complement his watertight defence.
“He’s a really important part of our team,” Ayre said.
“We often talk about our batting unit being rock stars and everyone liking to play the big shots.
“Justin complements out batting group really well.”
Not sure anyone could be hitting them as well as @JamesSeymour35 at the moment! Hopefully has another good week this week and can get a look in!
— Aaron Ayre (@AaronAyre) February 10, 2019
The right-hander was at the crease with Michael Hill (18 not out) when Essendon eclipsed its target after 59.5 overs to consolidate second spot on the Premier table.
Northcote next hosts Carlton in Round 14, while the Bombers take on Casey-South Melbourne.
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