Dynamic duo delivers as Rams’ youth policy pays off
GEELONG West has two unheralded heroes to thank for its 102-run victory over Guild Saints.
On day one last week, it was opener Matthew Rowe — in just his second first XI game of the season — who led the Rams to 274.
On on day two on Saturday, it was teenage seamer Josh Bourke who stood up to claim his best figures in a short senior career to help the Rams secure a strong win.
Bourke finished with 6-47 off 18 overs, with his nagging accuracy always posing a threat to the Guild batsmen.
The display of depth pleased Rams president and middle-order batsman Tony Spence nearly as much as the victory itself.
“‘Rowey’ batted really well the week before, he’s been pushing for a couple of years now making consistent scores in the seconds, and it’s good he got the opportunity and took it,” Spence said.
“And then Josh ( Bourke) was superb with the ball. He took his chances, showed great passion and was rewarded with wickets.”
Spence said Bourke had reaped the rewards of a greater focus on promoting youth at West, and believes the 17-year old has benefited from being fast-tracked into first XI cricket while still in his teens.
“He makes the batsman play, that’s his strength,” Spence said.
“He’s played almost two years of first XI cricket now, after we made a conscious decision a couple of years ago to play more young kids on turf and it’s starting to show, which is great.”
Guild was well set at one point at 2-89, with John McLaren (43) and English import Ed Galley (32) looking comfortable at the crease.
The game turned quickly however, as Galley could only bunt a long hop from Hayden Boyd (1-28) straight into the gleeful hands of Noah CravenBiggs at backward point.
McLaren fell to CravenBiggs (2-59) shortly after, and only an unbeaten half century from Daniel Robinson allowed Guild to reach 172 before being bowled out.
“I thought our bowlers bowled well early, and they batted pretty well too. We got Ed (Galley) off one of those bad balls, and from then on the game changed completely, and that’s where the game was won. That does happen quite a bit in division 3, when you get to the 6, 7 and 8 batsmen it happens quite a lot,” Spence said of Guild’s collapse.