Northcote claims thrilling one-wicket Premier Cricket win over Essendon
Has Northcote proved itself a genuine Premier Cricket threat? Aaron Crispe and Jack Lalor made inspired returns and Jonty Rushton showed his nerves of steels to guide the Dragons past Essendon.
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It’s a result that might prove Northcote is a genuine Premier Cricket premiership contender.
Aaron Crispe made an inspired return with the ball on Saturday before Jonty Rushton’s nerveless batting steered the Dragons past Essendon by one wicket on Sunday.
Chasing the Bombers’ 173, Northcote collapsed to 6-58 before a 90-run stand between Jack Lalor (45) and Rushton (69) gave their team hope.
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Yet the game looked all but over at 9-149 but Rushton and Michael Edwards (10 not out) simply refused to lose, frustrating Essendon’s vaunted attack.
“We made hard work of it but we dug ourselves out of it,” coach Steve Taylor said after the match.
“It’s not until the pressure comes on that you know how people are going to react.
“Mikey with nerves of steel at the end, his 10 not out, to support Jonty.
“It was Jonty’s biggest and best innings that he’s played for us. We sometimes forget about his batting ability but he’s a genuine all-rounder.
“For our boys to be in that situation and be able to think through it I think only makes our club stronger, it was really pleasing to see.”
Northcote were lucky to be even chasing 173 after Essendon openers James Seymour (75) and Aaron Ayre (28) made a blistering start.
The Bombers reached 2-100 before spinners Aaron Crispe and Joe Medew-Ewen sparked a stunning collapse.
Making his return to the First XI from a knee reconstruction, Crispe claimed equal career-best figures of 6-41.
“He’s started in the Fourths and worked his way back and it’s pleasing to see the reward for effort, all the work off the field to get his body right,” Taylor said.
“They got off to a flyer and it was spin that got us back into it.”
Medew-Ewen finished with 3-37.
Lalor was also making his First XI return after a serious ankle injury delayed the start to his season.
“Jack’s another great story, he didn’t start the year until late because of injury, again through footy,” Taylor said.
“The highest partnership (of the match) is something we put a lot of emphasis on and Essendon’s best was 79.
“Essendon are a team that you tend to benchmark yourself against.
“It’s a really pleasing result and continues our momentum into a really important game against a team that’s on top of the ladder in Melbourne Uni.
Lalor and Rushton’s seventh-wicket stand is Northcote’s third highest of the season.