Younger Magpies swoop on top flight
WESTERN Suburbs skipper Jack Raffles has put his faith in the club’s junior ranks, with the new leader adamant there will be young blood in their XI every weekend.
Six months after claiming the competition’s wooden spoon, the Magpies have soared to the top of the Townsville Cricket leaderboard after the first round with a double bonus point win over newcomers Northern Beaches.
While it was a dominant team performance by the home side, Raffles was quick to point out the impact of the young brigade, including fast bowling duo Curtis James and Jack Lahrs.
The pair held up an end for 10 overs, allowing Raffles to rotate his bowlers at the other as they skittled the Barras for 82.
James finished with 2-9 while Lahrs had 0-11 from six overs, including two maidens.
They were backed by a top supporting cast that included the triumphant return of Martin Seri (2-7 off seven), a cameo from Lachlan Ford (2-5 off 3.3) and the skipper (2-7 off six).
Raffles was adamant it would not be the only time the two young seamers featured in A grade and warned there was more exciting young talent to come.
“We have a crop of young guys coming through where throughout the year they will all get a shot here and there,” Raffles said.
“We have a big junior base and it is great to see them have a crack in the senior ranks.”
The Magpies made short work of the run chase, with opener Luke Lamborn making 29 not out and vaunted recruit Sam Lowry notching a quickfire 20 before he was snared by an athletic caught-and-bowled effort from Barras skipper Mark Little.