Luke proving he’s got mettle
HE might still be a “reserve grader” stepping up to the top level, according to his skipper, but Luke Lamborn is making a fist of becoming one of Townsville’s best young openers.
The emergence of Lamborn in the opening rounds has been the foundation of Western Suburbs’ resurgence to the top of the A-grade ladder.
A team that couldn’t win a chook raffle last season, the Magpies have completed a clean sweep in the first full round of the 2021/22 season.
Their bonus-point win over last year’s minor premiers Norths at the weekend cemented Wests’ dominance at the top of the Townsville Cricket ladder, more than 11 points clear of Brothers.
Lamborn has been a key figure in Wests’ success. The opener has got starts in four of the five games, including in the win over Norths.
“Luke has been training the house down this season and is looking really good at the moment,” Wests skipper Jack Raffles said.
“He will be one of our key pieces to the season. He is emerging as a prominent opener in the Townsville A Grade competition.
“Work ethic is definitely key to that but he also has a good cricket brain. He understands his role is to absorb the new ball and put his head down. He has definitely set a platform for us in recent wins.”
Lamborn has partnered with Queensland Country representative Sam Lowry at the top of the order, freeing up Wests stalwart Shaun Curnow to regain form down the order.
It proved to be a masterstroke at the weekend when Curnow punished Norths’ middle-innings attack with 69 off 78 balls.
Curnow and Tony Hampson (52) put on an unbeaten 124-run stand for the fifth wicket to set Norths a target of 192, which was a bridge too far for the Redmen.
“The big positive to come out of that win was the fact that it is not just superstar players, it is Wests’ stalwarts doing the job for us,” Raffles said.
“Senior players standing up again and finding form again. Hampo has been good all season. He hasn’t lost his wicket once and Curnow finding form again is huge for us.
“We’re happy with the start of the season, for sure. Coming from last year not winning a game to go the first round undefeated, it doesn’t get much better than that. But we are not taking it for granted, either. There are a lot of good sides in this competition.”