Aaron Crispe talks us through his match-winning maiden Premier Cricket century

Maiden Premier Cricket century, match-winning century. What a performance by Northcote’s Aaron Crispe on Saturday but there was one regret.

Aaron Crispe and Max Mikedis celebrate Northcote's win.

Talk about clutch.

Aaron Crispe couldn’t have picked a better time to score his maiden Premier Cricket century.

Not only was it his first senior hundred and first for Northcote, it secured the Dragons’ first victory of the season.

The unbeaten 116, from 154 balls, inspired a thrilling four-wicket win over Dandenong at Shepley Oval.

Crispe led the way, hitting 14 boundaries and a trio of sixes, as Northcote chased down the Panthers’ 299 just minutes before stumps.

Tearan Gleeson (56 off 133), Will Blair (56 off 126) and Max Mikedis (34no off 71) also playing critical roles.

After Northcote fell to 4-41 and as Crispe came in at 5-123, it was a mammoth task.

“(A hundred) wasn’t something I’d thought about until the last couple of years, when I started working on my batting, and for some reason it all clicked on Saturday,” Crispe said.

“We still needed 180 or something when I went in, so I wasn’t trying to think too far ahead at that stage.

“Will (Blair) and I managed to put on 50 or 60 and at tea we still needed 120 runs, so it was definitely a long way away.

“Taking my own score out of it and focusing on the target, I didn’t realise how quickly it came up.

“I managed to get (three figures) before the end and stick around to hit the winning runs as well, which was nice.

Crispe’s only regret, not giving a bigger celebration.

“I was pretty calm to be honest, I’ve copped a bit of flak since,” he joked.

“I think the boys wanted a bit more and that’s fair enough but I was just so focused on getting to 300 and getting the win – I didn’t give the boys much.”

Aaron Crispe in action for Northcote. Picture: Andy Brownbill

Chasing Dandenong’s 299 all out – inspired by Shobit Singh’s 160 last week, Northcote was in dire trouble at 4-41 as Noah Hurley destroyed the top order.

However, Gleeson and Blair put on a momentum-turning 82-run fifth-wicket partnership before Gleeson fell at 5-123.

Blair and Crispe then combined for a 62-run sixth-wicket stand to get the Dragons within sight of victory.

Mikedis, making his return from a shoulder reconstruction this season, then played a key support role to get not only Crispe to his ton but Northcote over the line – the pair putting on a match-winning 115-run partnership.

“It’s always tough chasing 300, especially with the position we were in early in the day,” Crispe said.

“It probably didn’t look likely but it’s a good win to hopefully kick-start the season.

“I think from the last 30 overs we needed three or four an over.

“With the new ball, it can go one of two ways, it can bring the bowling team some quick wickets or it can fly for the batting team and lucky we managed to do that.

“It was close but we always felt like we were at the level or slightly ahead.

“This is closer to how we want to play, obviously they had one guy make 160 last week, which was phenomenal, but apart from that we didn’t bowl too badly.

SUBBIES: UK TEENAGER’S CENTURY “THE BEST’ FOR PORT

LEADER: GET YOUR PREMIER CRICKET NEWS HERE

SUBBIES: IMPORTS ABBAS, PATEL GO LARGE IN NORTH-EAST

Joe Medew-Ewen snared 4-69 from 23.2 overs in the first innings, while Sam Harbinson claimed 3-36.

For Dandenong, Singh was the hero with the bat, playing a lone hand as no other teammate scored more than 27.

Despite Hurley’s four early wickets it would prove a difficult day as he finished with 4-101 and conceded the winning runs.

The win sees Northcote jump up to ninth on the Premier Cricket ladder.