Close look: Hawthorn-Monash's Javid Khan on Saturday. Picture: Ted Kloszynski
Hitting Hawk: Hawthorn-Monash's Javid Khan gets a hit away on Saturday. Picture: Ted Kloszynski
HAWTHORN-Monash University got tantalisingly close to a breakthrough victory in its Premier Cricket clash against North Melbourne on Saturday.
After the Kangaroos were cruising to the Hawks total of 176 on 3-108, spinner Vinay Tripathi tricked Eric Ghasperidis (36 runs) into top-edging a drive before the Hawks triggered a mini collapse on 156 with spinner Daniel O'Shea getting star batsman Carl Sandri (73 runs) and Paul Gloury (21 runs) in consecutive balls.
But the Kangaroos were able to fight their way to a winning score with two balls left in the innings, finishing on 7-177 with O'Shea taking 3-19 from 8.4 overs while opening bowler Tom Collett turned in an impressive opening spell taking 2-24 from 10 straight overs.
CHECK out our picture gallery from the game.
After winning the toss and batting first at Monash University Oval, the Hawks were in early trouble at 2-2 before Liam Tonkin (24 runs off 73 balls) and captain David Alleyne (59 runs off 90 balls) formed an 82-run partnership for the third wicket to rescue the innings.
But their dismissals left to the Hawks in trouble before all-rounder Grant Westgarth (34 off 73), O'Shea (14 off seven balls) and Javid Khan (12 off 19) pushed the Hawks to 9-176.
"There are glimpses of brilliance there but it's like putting together a 1000 piece jigsaw, it takes time to finish it," Jansz said.
■ At Junction Oval, Richmond scored an impressive win beating St Kilda by five wickets.
Daniel Sartori (48 not out) and Ben Torney (seven not out) led the Tigers past the Saints total of 168 in the 44th over.
Tigers opening bowlers Allan Wise (3-27) and Matt Shimell (2-27) led the way with the ball while Josh Durrant took 2-36.
This weekend Premier Cricket sides play on both Saturday and Sunday with the Hawks to visit Princes Park to face Carlton this Saturday and then play Melbourne at Monash University on Sunday.
The Tigers host Geelong at Central Reserve on Saturday and then visit Ringwood on Sunday.