Jonty Rushton century, Joe Medew-Ewen propel Northcote past Footscray

A blazing Jonty Rushton century and a “lion-hearted” bowling performance fuelled Northcote’s first win of the Premier Cricket season.

Northcote is on the board in Premier Cricket.

The Dragons broke their duck with an impressive 134-run first innings victory over Footscray at Merv Hughes Oval on Saturday.

The win was fuelled by Jonty Rushton’s blazing 126 from 128 balls last weekend before spinners Joe Medew-Ewen (4-54) and Aaron Crispe (2-33) ran through the Bulldogs.

Northcote posted an imposing 6-358 declared before dismissing Footscray for 224 to secure four points and jump off the bottom of the ladder.

Dragons coach Warren Pereara credited his bowlers for taking 10 wickets on a batsman-friendly deck.

Joshua Sundberg in action for Northcote. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“It was very much a lion-hearted performance, it was a hard day on a flat deck,” Pereara said.

“They batted really well, we didn’t get our first wicket until 110 or thereabouts.

“To then get 10-120 odd is a really amazing batting performance on a pretty flat wicket.

“(Dylan) Brasher and (Aiman) Nadeem were batting really well but we bowled really well too, the first session we bowled 31 overs and they were 70-odd.

“We felt if we kept pressuring and turning the screws it would come and we got two wickets after the break pretty quickly.”

Brody Couch got the all-important breakthrough, removing Brasher for 61, caught behind down the leg-side before Medew-Ewen had Nadeem caught in the deep by Crispe.

In his club debut, Max Hatzoglou was the only other Bulldogs batter to offer any resistance, finishing unbeaten on 44 as wickets tumbled around him.

Last weekend, Rushton brought up his second Premier Cricket century in style.

Brody Couch runs in for Northcote. Picture: Andy Brownbill

The attacking opener clubbed 12 boundaries and three sixes to put Northcote on the front foot.

After losing Elliot Brandon-Jones at 1-3, Rushton and Jaga Koduru (42) combined for a 151-run second-wicket stand.

Skipper Josh Sundberg (65) kept the runs flowing with important middle order contributions from Mark Phelan (40) and Aaron Crispe (45no).

“To make 350 is pleasing, it’s reward for the boys who have been working their bums off and for Jonty to get a hundred, Josh to get 60-odd and Phelo and Aaron to get 40s,” Pereara said.

“Jonty made a 150 last season against Kingston-Hawthorn, we made a change last year to move him up the order.

“He’s a stroke player so if he gets going he can set the tone really quickly, he’s got sensational timing, and he’s loving it.

“He had a few starts but now to go on and make a big one sets him up for the last six games before Christmas and hopefully beyond that.”

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After a difficult start to the season, Pereara is confident the club can now kick on and showcase its potential.

It begins with a two-day clash, this Saturday and Sunday, against Ringwood at Bill Lawry Oval.

“We know we’re doing a lot of things right in games and at training, in terms of our standards, so we hope that keeps us in good shape,” Pereara said.

“It was more about seeing the boys having a bit of fun and smiling, that’s what it’s all about, so hopefully that feeling keeps going.”