Liam Bowe claims maiden five-wicket haul, Essendon edges Fitzroy Doncaster

Liam Bowe produced his best bowling figures for Essendon as the Bombers claimed a thriller against Fitzroy Doncaster on the third-last ball of the match.

Liam Bowe celebrates a wicket for Essendon. Picture: Hamish Blair

Essendon coach Ash Cavigan admits winning the close ones hasn’t been the team’s forte in recent seasons.

However, the Bombers’ lower order held firm on Saturday to secure a three-wicket win over red-hot Fitzroy Doncaster on the third-last ball of the match at Windy Hill.

Former Big Bash spinner Liam Bowe set up the win with his maiden Premier Cricket five-wicket haul, 5-27, to dismiss the Lions for 196.

James Seymour (83) and Liam Molloy (54) did the hard work to get Essendon within sight of victory before a collapse of 3-1 handed the visitors the momentum.

While the Bombers may have crumbled in the past, Donovan Toohey (11 not out) and Matt Doric (7 not out) steadied and finished the job.

Liam Molloy in action for Essendon last season. Picture: Andy Brownbill

“I’ve been at the club four years now and that’s not something we’re known for,” Cavigan said.

“We’re aware of that and it’s something we’re trying to development and importantly it gives the boys a bit of belief. You need to learn how to win those games.

“It’s one-day cricket, the momentum swings quickly, and it was similar to the Casey game but this time we got on the right side of it. It’s good for the guys to win that way.

“We’re getting contributions from other players and learning to win in different ways I guess, which is what we’ve been looking for, to take the reliance of our main players.”

Bowe, who has played for Victoria’s Second XI, Melbourne Stars and Sydney Thunder, had a previous best of 4-23 in 72 First XI appearances for Essendon.

The star spinner removed Fitzroy Doncaster’s top three – Jack Rudd, Lakshmn Shivakumar and Noah Korkolis as well as Lions skipper Ejaaz Alavi and Sam Elliott.

Essendon wicketkeeper Donovan Toohey. Picture: Josie Hayden

“It’s been coming, his form the last few week have been tracking towards that,” Cavigan said of the spinner.

“It’s a tough game bowling spin in one-day cricket, you’ve got to roll with the punches, and he was great yesterday.

“He works incredibly hard on his game, the boys love him, and it was great for him to get his first five-for for the club.”

In his second game back from his own Big Bash call-up, Seymour returned to his early season form in a patient innings of 142 balls.

An 81-run partnership with Molloy got Essendon within 19 runs of their target before both fell, as well as Tom O’Donnell, in a matter of balls.

After a 57 last week, Cavigan was pleased to see Molloy show his ability.

“I think Liam’s worked out what he can do really well, he’s worked out his own game, and now I think we’ll see a lot more of that,” he said.

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“He and James Ryan, who might have missed out yesterday but got a 50 in the last game and a 49 before that.

“James Seymour was excellent, a guy who likes to score freely showed he can do it another way, he really dug in and looked like he was going to bat all the way through.

“With Hilly and Aaron missing out the last couple of games it’s been really pleasing to see Liam and James stand up and Donovan Toohey as well.”

The win keeps Essendon’s finals hopes alive, sitting 10th, six points outside the top eight with a trip to St Kilda on Saturday.