What scoring his maiden Premier Cricket century means to Northcote’s Tearan Gleeson
Tearan Gleeson scored his maiden Premier Cricket century, while big off-season recruit Jackson Smith shone with the ball to lift Northcote to victory.
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Big box ticked.
Tearan Gleeson scored his maiden Premier Cricket century on Saturday, a superb 101 from 141 balls.
The breakthrough performance inspired Northcote’s 13-run one-day win over Footscray at Bill Lawry Oval.
The opening bat has two Second XI tons to his name since arriving at Northcote and has impressed since stepping up to the senior team this season.
Gleeson and captain Josh Sundberg (72 from 72 balls) combined for a critical 133-run third-wicket partnership, leading the Dragons to 5-255 after being put in.
Jackson Smith’s 3-54 and timely wickets for Jack Lalor and Sam Harbinson then restricted the Bulldogs to 9-242 in reply.
Gleeson was rapt to have brought up three figures in such an important game.
“It was a great feeling to tick that one off,” Gleeson said.
“It’s always the goal as a batsman to score a First XI hundred, so definitely a special feeling.
“I’ve been around the grades for a little while now so to get the opportunity at the start of the year and get a few starts, I was hungry to get that first hundred.
“Batting with Josh is a massive help.
“He’s able to clear the ropes and he’s great to talk to out in the middle, he’s really clear in communicating what we need to do.
“We spoke about building a big partnership and it was great to put it forward and make it a winning score.”
After a 48 against Richmond and 56 against Dandenong earlier this season, Gleeson now has 209 runs at an average of 52.25 – No.1 at the club.
For the second week in a row, Sundberg played a critical supporting role, smashing two boundaries and four sixes to keep the scoreboard moving.
Michael Hay (24) and Will Blair (16 not out) then added late runs.
Footscray looked on track at 4-225 with off-season recruit Jack Prestwidge (97 off 120 balls) and Dylan Kight (67 off 65) motoring.
However, Northcote’s own big winter signing Smith broke the 125-run partnership and the visitors lost 5-17 at the death.
Gleeson said Smith had been a terrific addition since arriving from Queensland.
“Jackson is fitting in really nicely,” he said.
“The boys love getting around him, he’s a great bloke to have around the club.
“He’s bowling really well, so we’re happy for him.
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“We thought we were in control early on and then Prestwidge and Kight started to build a partnership, which made us a little nervous.
“But the bowlers bowled well in partnerships and were able to stop it in the end.”
Footscray captain Travis Dean was injured in the first innings and batting at No.11, finishing 0 not out off two balls.
Northcote faces Geelong and Essendon at Windy Hill in next week’s T20 triple-header, while Footscray travels to Greenvale Reserve to face the Kangaroos and Richmond.
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