Premier Cricket: Kingston Hawthorn beat Fitzroy-Doncaster in thriller to stay alive

An “unbelievable’’ win and a raft of youngsters have fired Kingston Hawthorn into finals contention in Victorian Premier Cricket for the first time in a long, long time.

Luke Stow bowling for Kingston Hawthorn. Hes produced with the bat on Saturday to steer the Hawks home. Picture: Valeriu Campan

“We’ve suddenly found a way to win from impossible positions,” declared Kingston Hawthorn coach Colin Siller.

With a never-say-die attitude, the Hawks have soared into finals contention in Victorian Premier Cricket for the first time in more than a decade.

“It’s a possibility,” Siller said of a top-eight finish.

Kingston Hawthorn’s gripping one-wicket win over Fitzroy-Doncaster on Saturday lifted it to 10th spot, only four points behind eighth placed Prahran.

Teenage paceman Tyler Pearson scored a match-winning 41 not out to steer the Hawks past Fitzroy-Doncaster’s 204 after they were wobbling at 7-128.

Nic Tindall bowling for the Hawks. Picture: Valeriu Campan

That’s when Pearson went in, joining fellow 19-year-old Nic Tindal. Together, the youngsters led a rousing rebuild, putting on 54 before Tindal (25) skied one to backward square leg.

At 8-182, Pearson was joined by Saad Khattak and they took the score to 9-191 when Khattak was run out for five.

But Pearson stayed positive and with last-man-in Luke Stow (10no) they peeled off the remaining 14 runs to secure a famous win.

“Tyler Pearson’s batting has come on a huge amount of over the past 12 months,’’ Siller said.

“I think most of that is due to him working with batting coaches at Cricket Victoria.

“Effectively we bat all the way down to 11 really.”

Saad Khattak. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Luke Stow. Picture: Valeriu Campan

Siller added: “Young Nic Tindall has come in as an all rounder. We had two 19yos at the crease, under pressure they both did well…then Luke Stow came in and they put on 15 or so to win the game. The young lads in the team have stepped up.’’

Earlier, opener Thaveesh Attanayake (42) and No. 5 Jack Taylor (50) were in the runs.

Kingston Hawthorn faces Frankston Peninsula (away) and Camberwell Magpies (away) in the last two rounds.

The Hawks’ bowling brigade has stepped up this season, with Pearson taking 15 wickets, Stow 14, Saad Khattak 12 and Roman Walker 10.

Siller says Pearson is bowling faster than ever.

“And significantly quicker as well,’’ he added.

Siller says former St Kilda bowling great Adrian Jones, who has joined the club as bowling coach this season, has helped the club’s bowlers.

“He’s done a tremendous job because he’s not just working with the bowlers in the first team, he’s worked with everybody that comes down to practice on a Tuesday or Thursday,’’ he said.

Premier ladder: Carlton 61, Richmond 59, St Kilda 57, Camberwell Magpies 51, Dandenong 49, Casey South Melbourne 49, Ringwood 45, Prahran 40, Geelong 37, Kingston Hawthorn 36, Melbourne 35, Northcote 35, Fitzroy Doncaster 32, Melbourne University 27, Footscray 24, Essendon 13, Greenvale Kangaroos 11, Frankston Peninsula 10.